Surprisingly, it’s been over 10 years since most people have had a hearing assessment.
Harper is one of them. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she shows up dutifully for her annual medical test. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test usually gets neglected.
There are lots of reasons to get hearing tests, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most essential. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how often to get her hearing tested.
So, just how frequently should you get a hearing exam?
It’s disconcerting to think that Harper hasn’t taken a hearing exam in 10 years. Or we might think it’s perfectly normal. Our reaction will vary depending on her age. Depending on age, recommendations will vary.
- For individuals over 50: Once a year is the recommended routine for hearing tests in individuals over fifty. As you get older, 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. In addition, there could be other health problems that can affect your hearing.
- For individuals under 50: Once every 3 to 10 years is suggested for hearing assessments. Of course, it’s ok to get a hearing test more often. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. And you should be cautious and get tested more frequently if you work in a job that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
Indications you should get your hearing tested
Undoubtedly, there are other times, besides the annual exam, that you might want to come in for a consultation. Signs of hearing loss might begin to surface. And in those instances, it’s important to get in touch with us and schedule a hearing exam.
Some of the signs that should motivate you to have a hearing test include:
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- Having a tough time hearing consonants (in general, consonants are spoken in a higher wavelength than vowels, and it’s those high-frequency sounds that are frequently the first to go as hearing loss sets in.)
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy environments.
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- Your ears sound muffled as if you had water in them.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Phone conversations are becoming more difficult to hear.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to accumulate. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
How will a hearing test help?
There are lots of reasons why Harper may be late in having her hearing test.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are concrete benefits to having your hearing examined per guidelines.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help determine any future deviations, even if it’s presently healthy. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes obvious, you can better safeguard it.
Discovering hearing problems before they produce permanent hearing loss is the precise reason someone like Harper should get tested regularly. Catching your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. Think about the impact of hearing loss on your overall health, it’s that important.
