Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since most people have had a hearing test.
One of those individuals is Harper. She reports to her doctor for her annual medical exam and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing test.
Hearing tests are important for a variety of reasons, the most notable of which is that it’s usually challenging for you to discover the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Knowing how often she should get their hearing tested will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
So, just how frequently should you have a hearing test?
If the last time Harper had a hearing test was over a decade ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s completely normal. How old she is will largely determine our reaction. That’s because we have different recommendations based on age.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general suggestion is that anybody above the age of fifty should schedule annual hearing tests Hearing loss is more likely to have an impact on your life as you age because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Also, as we get older we’re more likely to have other health issues that can have an impact on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing assessments. Obviously, it’s ok to get a hearing test more often. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. If you’ve been exposing yourself to loud concert noise or work in an industry with high volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
Signs you need to get your hearing checked
Needless to say, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing assessment isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Maybe you start to experience some signs of hearing loss. And when they do you need to make an appointment with us for a hearing exam.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- Your ears sound muffled like you had water in them.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- You’re having a tough time hearing conversations when you’re in a loud setting.
- Having a very hard time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs start to accumulate. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
There are plenty of reasons why Harper might be late in getting her hearing test.
It may have slipped her mind.
Maybe she’s intentionally avoiding thinking about it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has concrete benefits.
We can set up 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 detect any early hearing loss before it becomes obvious.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that somebody like Harper will be able to identify issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Detecting your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. If you let your hearing go, it can have an impact on your general health.