It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone more than ten years without getting a hearing test.
One of those individuals is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her yearly medical exam and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even replaces her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing exam usually gets neglected.
There are many reasons to get hearing tests, the most notable of which is that it’s often challenging for you to discover the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Knowing how often she should get their hearing tested will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) healthy for as long as possible.
So, just how often should you get a hearing assessment?
It’s alarming to think that Harper hasn’t had a hearing test in 10 years. Or we may think it’s completely normal. Our reaction will vary depending on her age. That’s because we have different suggestions based on age.
- If you are over fifty years of age: The general recommendation is that anyone above the age of fifty should make an appointment for yearly hearing evaluations. As you age, the noise damage you’ve sustained over a lifetime can begin to accelerate, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. Plus, there might be other health issues that can impact your hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: It’s usually recommended that you get a hearing exam about once every three to ten years. Of course, it’s fine to get a hearing test more often. But once every decade is the bare minimum. If you’ve been exposing yourself to loud concert noise or work in an industry with high volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
Signs you should have your hearing assessed
Needless to say, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Maybe you begin to notice some signs of hearing loss. And when they do you need to make an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Here are a few clues that you need a hearing test:
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water in your ears.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat what they said.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- Phone conversations are getting harder to hear.
- You’re having a tough time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs begin to add up. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper may be late having her hearing test for several reasons.
It may have slipped her mind.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are concrete benefits to getting your hearing examined per guidelines.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you recognize any early hearing loss before it becomes noticeable.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that someone like Harper will be able to identify problems before her hearing is permanently diminished. Your ears will stay healthy longer by getting these regular screenings. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an impact on your general health.