It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone more than ten years without having a hearing test.
One of those people is Harper. She reports to her doctor for her yearly medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test usually gets ignored.
There are a number of reasons to get hearing exams, the most notable of which is that it’s often difficult for you to discover the earliest signs of hearing loss without one. 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 exam?
It’s alarming to think that Harper hasn’t taken a hearing exam in 10 years. Or we might think it’s perfectly normal. Our reaction will differ depending on how old she is. That’s because we have different recommendations based on age.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general suggestion is that anybody over the age of fifty should make an appointment for 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. In addition, there may be other health concerns that can affect your hearing.
- For individuals under 50: It’s generally recommended that you get a hearing test once every three to ten years or so. Obviously, it’s fine to get a hearing exam more often. But once every ten years is the bare minimum. And you should play it safe and get tested more frequently if you work in a job that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s quick, simple, and painless so why wouldn’t you?
You need to have your hearing tested if you notice any of these signs.
Of course, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Signs of hearing loss may start to appear. And when they do you should make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment.
Some of the signs that should motivate you to get a hearing test include:
- You’re having a tough time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- Sounds get muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water inside of your ears.
- Asking people to slow down or repeat what they said during a conversation.
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy environments.
- Having a really difficult time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Turning your television or car stereo up to extremely high volumes.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to add up. You’ll know what’s going on with your ears as soon as you come in for an evaluation.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
Harper may be late having her hearing checked for a number of reasons.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she’s intentionally avoiding thinking about it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has concrete benefits.
Even if you think your hearing is totally healthy, a hearing exam will help set a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to detect. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better safeguard it.
Discovering hearing issues before they produce permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Recognizing your hearing loss early by getting your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. Consider the effects of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.