Believe it or not, it’s been more than 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing exam.
One of those individuals is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing exam.
Hearing tests are essential for a wide variety of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the more essential. Determining how frequently 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 get a hearing exam?
If the last time Harper got a hearing exam was over a decade ago, that’s alarming. Or perhaps it isn’t. Our reaction will differ depending on her age. Depending on age, guidelines will vary.
- If you are over fifty years of age: Once annually is the suggested schedule for hearing assessments in individuals over 50 years old. As you get older, the noise damage you’ve sustained over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start affecting your life. Moreover, as we get older we’re more likely to have other health conditions that can have an impact on hearing.
- If you are under fifty years old: It’s usually recommended that you take a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. There’s no harm in getting your ears checked more often, of course! But the bare minimum is once every decade. If you’ve been subjecting yourself to loud concert noise or work in an industry with high decibel levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more frequently. It’s fast, easy, and painless so why wouldn’t you?
Signs you should have your hearing assessed
Of course, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to make an appointment with us. Maybe you begin to notice some signs of hearing loss. And in those cases, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing test.
Here are a few clues that you need a hearing exam:
- You’re having a tough time hearing conversations when you’re in a noisy setting.
- 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.)
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as if you always have water inside of your ears.
- Having a really tough time understanding people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Cranking your television or car stereo up to excessively high volumes.
- Asking people to slow down or repeat what they said during a conversation.
- You suddenly can’t hear out of one ear.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs start to add up. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
How will a hearing test help?
Harper could be late getting her hearing checked for a number of reasons.
It might have slipped her mind.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are concrete advantages to having your hearing examined per recommendations.
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.
Detecting hearing problems before they produce permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody 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.