Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing exam.
Harper is one of them. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she reports dutifully for her yearly medical test. She even knows to get her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But she never remembers to schedule her hearing test.
There are a number of reasons to get hearing assessments, early detection of hearing loss being one of the more significant. Knowing how frequently she should get their hearing tested will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) healthy for as long as possible.
So, just how frequently should you get a hearing exam?
If the last time Harper took a hearing test was over ten years ago, that’s alarming. Or perhaps it isn’t. Her age will greatly determine our reaction. That’s because we have different suggestions based on age.
- For individuals over 50: The general suggestion is that anyone over fifty years old should make an appointment for annual hearing evaluations. As you get older, the noise damage you’ve incurred over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. In addition, there could be other health issues that can impact your hearing.
- If you are less than fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing assessments. There’s no harm in getting your ears tested more often, of course! But once every decade is the bare minimum. If you’ve been subjecting yourself to loud concert noise or work in a field with high decibel levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. After all, it’s painless, simple, and there’s really no practical reason not to do it.
You need to have your hearing assessed if you notice any of these signs.
Undoubtedly, there are other occasions, besides the annual exam, that you might want to come in and see us. Maybe you begin to experience some signs of hearing loss. And when they do you need to schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- Your ears sound muffled as if you had water in them.
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
- You’re having a difficult time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- Having a difficult 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.)
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs begin to accumulate. 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 could be late getting her hearing test for a number of reasons.
It may have slipped her mind.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has concrete benefits.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s presently healthy. You’ll be in a better position to protect 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 issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Your ears will stay healthy longer by having these regular screenings. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an affect on your overall health.