Believe it or not, it’s been more than 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing exam.
One of those people is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical exam and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even knows to get her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But her hearing test usually gets neglected.
Hearing evaluations are important for a multitude of reasons, the most notable of which is that it’s often challenging for you to detect the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Determining how often she should get their hearing tested will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) healthy for as long as possible.
So, just how often should you have a hearing exam?
If the last time Harper took a hearing exam was over a decade ago, that’s alarming. Or perhaps it isn’t. Our reaction will vary depending on how old she is. That’s because we have different guidelines based on age.
- For individuals over 50: Once annually is the suggested schedule for hearing exams in individuals over fifty. 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 affecting your life. Plus, there could be other health issues that can impact your hearing.
- If you are less than fifty years old: It’s usually recommended that you get a hearing exam once every three to ten years or so. Obviously, it’s fine to get a hearing exam more frequently. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. And you should play it safe and get checked more frequently if you work in an occupation that tends to be loud or if you go to a lot of concerts. It’s fast, simple, and painless so why not come in?
Indications you should have your hearing checked
Obviously, there are other occasions, besides the annual exam, that you may want to come in for a consultation. Symptoms of hearing loss may begin to appear. And in those instances, it’s important to get in touch with us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing exam:
- Asking people to talk slower or repeat themselves during a conversation.
- You abruptly can’t hear out of one ear.
- The volume on your stereo or TV is getting louder and louder.
- Your ears seem muffled like you had water in them.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in loud environments.
- Phone conversations are getting harder to hear.
- You’re having a tough time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
When the previously mentioned warning signs start to add up, it’s a good sign that the ideal time to get a hearing exam is right now. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
There are plenty of reasons why Harper may be late in getting her hearing test.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has concrete benefits.
We can establish a baseline for your hearing, which will help identify any future deviations, even if it’s presently 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 issues before they create permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Catching your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. If you let your hearing go, it can have an affect on your overall health.