Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since most people have had a hearing assessment.
One of those people is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even replaces her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test usually gets neglected.
There are lots of reasons to get hearing exams, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most important. 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 get your hearing examined how often?
It’s disconcerting to think that Harper hasn’t taken a hearing test in 10 years. Or perhaps it isn’t. Our reaction will differ depending on her age. Depending on age, recommendations will differ.
- For people over 50: The general recommendation is that anybody above the age of fifty should make an appointment for yearly hearing evaluations. 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 have other health conditions that can have an affect on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing assessments. There’s no harm in getting your ears tested more frequently, of course! 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 noisy or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s quick, simple, and painless so why not come in?
Indications you should have your hearing assessed
Undoubtedly, there are other times, besides the yearly exam, that you may want to come in and see us. Signs of hearing loss might begin to crop up. And when they do you need to make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- You’re having a tough time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Having a hard 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 themselves.
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- Having a very difficult time understanding people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Your ears seem muffled like you had water in them.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs start to add up. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
There are lots of reasons why Harper may be late in getting her hearing test.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has tangible benefits.
Even if you think your hearing is completely healthy, a hearing exam will help set a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to identify. If you can detect your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better safeguard it.
Discovering hearing problems before they cause permanent hearing loss is the exact reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Catching your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. If you let your hearing go, it can have an impact on your overall health.