It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone more than ten years without having a hearing exam.
One of those people is Harper. 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 exam normally gets neglected.
Hearing evaluations are essential for a wide variety of reasons, 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 you should get your hearing tested how often?
If the last time Harper took a hearing exam was over a decade ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s perfectly normal. Our reaction will vary depending on how old she is. Depending on age, guidelines will differ.
- For individuals over 50: Once a year is the suggested schedule for hearing assessments in individuals over fifty. Hearing loss is more likely to have an impact on your life as you age because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will speed up that impairment. Also, as we age we’re more likely to have other health conditions that can have an impact on hearing.
- If you are less than fifty years old: It’s generally recommended that you undergo a hearing test about once every three to ten years. 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 play it safe and get tested more often if you work in a job that tends to be noisy or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s fast, simple, and painless so why wouldn’t you?
You need to get your hearing assessed if you experience any of these signs.
Of course, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Maybe you start to notice some symptoms of hearing loss. And when they do you need to schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test.
A few of the clues that should motivate you to get a hearing test include:
- Your ears seem muffled as if you had water in them.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- Having a really tough time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Cranking your tv or car stereo up to excessively high volumes.
- You’re having a hard time making out conversations when you’re in a loud setting.
When the previously mentioned warning signs begin to add up, it’s a good sign that the ideal time to get a hearing exam is right now. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for an evaluation.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
Harper may be late getting her hearing checked for several reasons.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the suggested hearing tests has tangible benefits.
We can establish a baseline for your hearing, which will help determine any future deviations, even if it’s presently healthy. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you detect any early hearing loss before it becomes noticeable.
Discovering hearing issues before they create permanent hearing loss is the exact reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. 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.