It’s difficult to comprehend but most people have gone over ten years without having a hearing test.
Harper is one of them. She reports to her doctor for her annual medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test usually gets ignored.
Hearing tests are essential for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is that it’s often challenging for you to discover the earliest symptoms of hearing loss without one. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how frequently to get her hearing checked.
So you should get your hearing examined how often?
If the last time Harper got a hearing assessment was over a decade ago, that’s alarming. Or perhaps it isn’t. Her age will largely determine our reaction. That’s because we have different guidelines based on age.
- If you are over fifty years of age: The general suggestion is that anyone over fifty years old should make an appointment for annual hearing tests Hearing loss is more likely to have an impact on your life as you get older because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Moreover, as we get older we’re more likely to be dealing with other health problems that can have an impact on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: It’s usually recommended that you have a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. Naturally, it’s ok to get a hearing test more often. But once every ten years is the bare minimum. And you should be cautious and get tested 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 good reason not to do it.
Indications you should have your hearing tested
Undoubtedly, there are other times, besides the annual exam, that you may want to come in and see us. Maybe you start to notice some signs of hearing loss. And when they do you need to make an appointment with us for a hearing exam.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- Cranking your television or car stereo up to extremely high volumes.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat what they said.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- Having a very hard time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Your ears sound muffled as if you had water in them.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud environments.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs start to accumulate. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper may be late having her hearing checked for a number of 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 tested per recommendations.
Even if you believe your hearing is perfectly healthy, a hearing exam will help set 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 detect issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Catching your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. Think about the impact of hearing loss on your overall health, it’s that important.