It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone over ten years without having a hearing exam.
One of those individuals is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt replaced every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing test.
Hearing evaluations are essential for a multitude of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the more significant. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how often to get her hearing tested.
So you should have your hearing tested how often?
If the last time Harper got a hearing assessment was over a decade ago, that’s alarming. Or we may think it’s completely normal. Our reaction will differ depending on how old she is. That’s because we have different suggestions based on age.
- For individuals over 50: The general suggestion is that anyone above fifty years old should make an appointment for annual hearing evaluations. Hearing loss is more likely to have an impact on your life as you age because the noise damage that has built-up over a lifetime will speed up that impairment. In addition, there could be other health concerns that can affect your hearing.
- For individuals under 50: It’s generally recommended that you take a hearing exam about once every three to ten years. Of course, it’s ok to get a hearing assessment more frequently. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. And you should be cautious and get checked more frequently if you work in an occupation that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. After all, it’s painless, simple, and there’s really no practical reason not to do it.
Indications you should get your hearing assessed
Of course, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Maybe you start to notice some symptoms of hearing loss. And in those situations, it’s important to reach out to us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing test:
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy environments.
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water inside of your ears.
- Having a very tough time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- You abruptly can’t hear out of one ear.
When the above warning signs begin to add up, it’s a good indication that the ideal time to get a hearing test is right now. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper may be late getting 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 tangible benefits to having your hearing examined per guidelines.
We can establish a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better safeguard it.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that somebody like Harper will be able to detect problems before her hearing is permanently damaged. Your ears will remain healthy longer by having these regular screenings. If you let your hearing go, it can have an impact on your general health.