It’s difficult to believe but most individuals have gone over ten years without having a hearing test.
Harper is one of them. She reports to her doctor for her yearly medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt replaced every 6000 miles! But she never remembers to schedule her hearing test.
There are a number of reasons to get hearing assessments, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most essential. Harper’s ears and hearing will stay as healthy as possible if she knows how frequently to get her hearing checked.
So you should have your hearing examined how often?
If the last time Harper had a hearing assessment was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s completely normal. How old she is will greatly determine our reaction. Depending on age, guidelines will vary.
- For people over 50: The general suggestion is that anybody over the age of fifty 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 built-up over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Plus, there may be other health problems that can affect your hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing tests. Of course, it’s ok to get a hearing test more frequently. But once every ten years is the bare minimum. If you’ve been exposing yourself to loud concert noise or work in a field with high decibel levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more frequently. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
Indications you need to get your hearing assessed
Needless to say, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing assessment isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Perhaps you start to experience some signs of hearing loss. And in those instances, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing exam:
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud environments.
- Asking people to talk slower or repeat themselves during a conversation.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
- Sounds get muffled; it begins to sound as if you always have water in your ears.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
It’s a solid 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 help?
Harper may be late getting her hearing checked for a number of reasons.
It may have slipped her mind.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are concrete benefits to getting your hearing tested per guidelines.
We can establish a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you recognize any early hearing loss before it becomes noticeable.
Detecting hearing problems before they create permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Recognizing your hearing loss early by having your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. Think about the effects of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.