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 reports dutifully for her yearly medical test. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test normally gets neglected.
There are a number of reasons to get hearing assessments, the most prominent of which is that it’s usually difficult for you to discover the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Knowing how often she should get a hearing test will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
So, just how often should you get a hearing test?
If the last time Harper had a hearing assessment was over ten years ago, that’s alarming. Or we may think it’s perfectly normal. Our reaction will differ depending on how old she is. Depending on age, recommendations will differ.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general suggestion is that anyone over fifty years old should schedule annual hearing exams Hearing loss is more likely to have an affect on your life as you get older because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Moreover, as we age we’re more likely to be dealing with other health issues that can have an affect on hearing.
- For individuals under 50: It’s generally recommended that you undergo a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. Naturally, it’s fine to get a hearing exam more frequently. But the bare minimum is once every decade. And you should play it safe and get checked more often 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.
Signs you should have your hearing assessed
Naturally, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Symptoms of hearing loss may begin to appear. And in those situations, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing exam.
A few of the clues that should prompt you to have a hearing test include:
- You’re having a hard time hearing conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- Asking people to slow down or repeat themselves during a conversation.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as if you always have water in your ears.
- You’re having a tough time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- Having a really tough time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Cranking your television or car stereo up to excessively high volumes.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to add up. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
Harper may be late getting her hearing checked for a number of reasons.
It may have slipped her mind.
Maybe she’s intentionally avoiding thinking about it. But there are tangible advantages to getting your hearing tested per guidelines.
Even if you believe your hearing is totally healthy, a hearing exam will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to detect. If you can detect your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better protect it.
The point of regular hearing tests is that somebody like Harper will be able to detect problems before her hearing is permanently diminished. Catching your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. Think about the effects of hearing loss on your overall health, it’s that important.
