Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing assessment.
Harper is one of them. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she reports dutifully for her annual medical examination. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But her hearing exam usually gets ignored.
There are many reasons to get hearing assessments, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most essential. Determining how frequently she should get a hearing test will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
So you should get your hearing tested how often?
If the last time Harper had a hearing assessment was over a decade ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s completely normal. Her age will greatly determine our reaction. Depending on age, recommendations will vary.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general suggestion is that anybody over fifty years old should schedule yearly hearing assessments 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. Moreover, as we age we’re more likely to be dealing with other health conditions that can have an affect on hearing.
- For people under 50: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing tests. There’s no harm in having your ears checked more frequently, of course! But once every ten years is the bare minimum. And you should be cautious and get checked more frequently if you work in an occupation that tends to be noisy or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s quick, easy, and painless so why not come in?
You should have your hearing assessed if you notice any of these signs.
Undoubtedly, there are other occasions, besides the yearly exam, that you may want to come in for a consultation. Perhaps you start to experience some symptoms of hearing loss. And in those cases, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing test.
A few of the signs that should motivate you to have a hearing test include:
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- You abruptly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Asking people to talk slower or repeat what they said during a conversation.
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- Phone conversations are getting harder to hear.
- You’re having a hard time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as if you always have water inside of your ears.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs start to add up. You’ll know what’s going on with your ears as soon as you come in for an evaluation.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper may be late having her hearing checked for several reasons.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are tangible benefits to having your hearing examined per guidelines.
Even if you believe your hearing is totally healthy, a hearing test will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to detect. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you recognize any early hearing loss before it becomes obvious.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that somebody like Harper will be able to identify issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Recognizing your hearing loss early by getting your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an impact on your overall health.
