It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone over ten years without getting a hearing test.
Harper is one of them. She reports to her doctor for her annual medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But she always forgets to schedule her hearing exam.
Hearing evaluations are important for a multitude of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most significant. Harper’s ears and hearing will stay as healthy as possible if she knows how often to get her hearing checked.
So you should have your hearing examined 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 recommendations based on age.
- For individuals over 50: Once annually is the suggested schedule for hearing assessments in individuals over 50 years old. As you age, the noise damage you’ve sustained over a lifetime can begin to accelerate, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. In addition, there may be other health issues that can affect your hearing.
- If you are less than fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is suggested for hearing assessments. Naturally, it’s ok to get a hearing exam more frequently. But the bare minimum is once every decade. 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 fast, simple, and painless so why wouldn’t you?
You need to get your hearing tested if you notice any of these signs.
Obviously, there are other times, besides the yearly exam, that you may want to come in and see us. Symptoms of hearing loss may begin to appear. And in those instances, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing exam.
Some of the signs that should prompt you to get a hearing exam include:
- 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 takes hold.)
- You’re having a hard time making out conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- Your ears seem muffled like you had water in them.
- Turning your television or car stereo up to extremely high volumes.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
- Having a very difficult time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat what they said.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam 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.
How will a hearing test help?
There are plenty of reasons why Harper may be late in having her hearing test.
It might have slipped her mind.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the suggested hearing tests has tangible benefits.
Even if you think your hearing is completely healthy, a hearing exam will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to identify. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you recognize any early hearing loss before it becomes noticeable.
Discovering hearing issues before they create permanent hearing loss is the exact reason someone like Harper should get tested regularly. Your ears will remain healthy longer by having these regular screenings. Consider the effects of hearing loss on your overall health, it’s that important.