It’s difficult to believe but most individuals have gone over ten years without having a hearing exam.
Harper is one of them. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she shows up dutifully for her yearly medical examination. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test typically gets neglected.
Hearing tests are important for a variety of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most essential. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she knows how frequently to get her hearing checked.
So, just how frequently should you get a hearing assessment?
If the last time Harper got a hearing test was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we may think it’s perfectly normal. Her age will greatly determine our reaction. Depending on age, recommendations will differ.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general recommendation is that anyone over fifty years old should make an appointment for annual hearing tests Hearing loss is more likely to have an impact on your life as you get older because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will speed up that impairment. Also, as we get older we’re more likely to be dealing with other health problems that can have an affect on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is suggested for hearing exams. Naturally, it’s fine to get a hearing test more frequently. But the bare minimum is once every decade. And you should be cautious and get checked more often 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?
You need to have your hearing tested if you experience any of these signs.
Needless to say, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Perhaps you begin to experience some symptoms of hearing loss. And in those instances, it’s important to reach out to us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are some clues that you need a hearing exam:
- You abruptly can’t hear out of one ear.
- Cranking your television or car stereo up to excessively high volumes.
- Sounds become muffled; it starts to sound as though you always have water inside of your ears.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- You’re having a tough time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
When the above warning signs begin to add up, it’s a good sign that the perfect time to get a hearing exam is right now. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
How will a hearing test help?
There are lots of reasons why Harper might be late in getting her hearing test.
It might have slipped her mind.
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 perfectly healthy, a hearing exam will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to identify. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes obvious, you can better safeguard it.
The point of regular hearing tests is that someone like Harper will be able to detect problems before her hearing is permanently diminished. Catching your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked 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.