It’s hard to believe but most people have gone over ten years without having a hearing exam.
One of those individuals is Harper. She reports to her doctor for her annual medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing exam.
Hearing tests are essential for a multitude of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the more significant. Determining how often she should get their hearing tested will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
So, just how frequently should you have a hearing test?
It’s alarming to think that Harper hasn’t had a hearing test in 10 years. Or we might think it’s completely normal. How old she is will largely determine our reaction. Depending on age, guidelines will differ.
- If you are over fifty years of age: Once annually is the recommended routine for hearing assessments in people over fifty. Hearing loss is more likely to have an affect on your life as you age because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Moreover, as we get older we’re more likely to have other health problems that can have an impact on hearing.
- For people under 50: It’s usually recommended that you get a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. Naturally, it’s ok to get a hearing exam more often. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. And you should play it safe and get checked more often if you work in a job that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s fast, easy, and painless so why not come in?
Indications you need to have your hearing assessed
Naturally, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Perhaps you start to experience some symptoms of hearing loss. And when they do you should schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing test:
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat what they said.
- You’re having a tough time hearing conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- You’re having a tough time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Sounds get muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water in your ears.
- Having a really tough time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to accumulate. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
How will a hearing test be beneficial?
Harper could be late getting her hearing test for a number of reasons.
It might have slipped her mind.
Maybe she’s purposely avoiding thinking about it. But there are tangible benefits to having your hearing tested per guidelines.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. If you can detect your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better safeguard it.
The point of regular hearing tests is that someone like Harper will be able to detect issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Recognizing your hearing loss early by having your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an impact on your overall health.