Believe it or not, it’s been more than 10 years since most people have had a hearing test.
Harper is one of them. She reports to her doctor for her yearly medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even knows to get her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But her hearing exam normally gets neglected.
There are lots of reasons to get hearing exams, early detection of hearing loss being one of the more significant. Knowing how often she should get a hearing test will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) healthy for as long as possible.
So you should have your hearing examined how often?
If the last time Harper got a hearing exam was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s completely normal. How old she is will greatly determine our reaction. That’s because we have different guidelines based on age.
- For individuals over 50: Once annually is the suggested routine for hearing assessments in people over 50 years old. As you age, the noise damage you’ve incurred over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start affecting your life. Moreover, as we get older we’re more likely to be dealing with other health conditions that can have an affect on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: It’s generally recommended that you undergo a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. Obviously, it’s fine to get a hearing assessment more often. But the bare minimum is once every decade. If you’ve been exposing yourself to loud concert noise or work in a field with high volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more frequently. After all, it’s painless, simple, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
You need to get your hearing checked if you experience any of these signs.
Naturally, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing assessment isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Symptoms of hearing loss may begin to surface. And when they do you should schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Here are some clues that you need a hearing exam:
- Having a really tough time understanding people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- 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 often the first to go as hearing loss takes hold.)
- Your ears seem muffled as if you had water in them.
- You’re having a difficult time making out conversations when you’re in a loud setting.
- Asking people to talk slower or repeat themselves during a conversation.
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to add up. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper may be late getting her hearing test for a number of reasons.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has concrete benefits.
Even if you think your hearing is totally healthy, a hearing exam will help set a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to identify. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you detect any early hearing loss before it becomes noticeable.
Detecting hearing problems before they create permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Recognizing your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. Consider the effects of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.