Surprisingly, it’s been more than 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing exam.
One of those people is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt replaced every 6000 miles! But her hearing exam usually gets ignored.
Hearing assessments are essential for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is that it’s often difficult for you to discover the earliest symptoms of hearing loss without one. Determining how frequently 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 tested how often?
If the last time Harper got a hearing exam was over ten years ago, that’s alarming. Or perhaps it isn’t. Our reaction will vary depending on her age. That’s because we have different guidelines based on age.
- If you are over fifty years of age: The general recommendation is that anyone above the age of fifty should schedule annual hearing assessments As you get older, the noise damage you’ve incurred over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. Also, as we get older we’re more likely to be dealing with other health problems that can have an impact on hearing.
- For people under 50: It’s generally recommended that you have a hearing exam about once every three to ten years. Of course, it’s fine 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 often if you work in a job that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s quick, easy, and painless so why not come in?
Signs you need to get your hearing tested
Of course, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Maybe you begin to experience some symptoms of hearing loss. And in those situations, it’s important to get in touch with us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing exam:
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- 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 suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- Sounds get muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water in your ears.
- Phone conversations are getting harder to hear.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in loud environments.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs start to accumulate. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
How will a hearing test be beneficial?
There are lots of reasons why Harper might be late in getting her hearing test.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the suggested hearing tests has concrete benefits.
We can establish a baseline for your hearing, which will help determine any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes obvious, you can better protect it.
Detecting hearing issues before they produce permanent hearing loss is the exact reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Detecting your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an impact on your overall health.
