According to one recent survey, nearly 30% of people have gone more than ten years without getting a hearing test. Sofia is one of them. She knows to get her oil changed every 3000 miles, she sees the dentist every six months, and she checks in punctually for her yearly medical examination. But she hasn’t had a hearing test in quite some time.
There are lots of reasons why it’s beneficial to get hearing evaluations, finding initial symptoms of hearing loss is probably the most essential one. Sophia will be able to keep her hearing healthy for a much longer period of time by knowing how often to get her ears tested.
How Often Each Year Should my Ears be Tested?
If the last time Sofia took a hearing exam was ten years ago, we may be alarmed. Or maybe it doesn’t phase us. Our reaction, and the reaction of her hearing specialist, likely will vary depending on her age. This is because hearing professionals have different suggestions based on age.
- If you are over fifty years old: But if you’re over fifty, the recommendation is, you have a hearing exam each year. Hearing loss is more likely to impact your life as you get older because noise damage starts to add up. Also, there are other health issues that can affect your hearing.
- It’s normally recommended that you undergo a hearing assessment every three years or so. Of course, if you feel you should get your hearing checked more frequently, that’s also fine. The very least is every three years. You should certainly get tested more often if you are frequently in a noisy setting. It’s simple and painless and there’s really no reason not to get it done.
If you would like to have hearing examinations or tests more often, there’s obviously no harm in that, at least when it involves your hearing. The sooner you identify any problems, the sooner you’ll be able to address whatever hearing loss that may have developed since your last hearing exam.
You Should Get Your Hearing Checked if You Notice These Signs
Of course, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with a hearing professional. As an example, if you notice symptoms of hearing loss. And in those circumstances, it’s typically a good idea to promptly contact a hearing specialist and schedule a hearing exam.
Some of the signs that might prompt you to get a hearing test could include:
- Phone interactions are always difficult to understand
- Having a tough time making out consonants (generally, consonants are spoken in a higher wavelength than vowels, and it’s those high-frequency sounds that are usually the first to go as hearing loss takes hold)
- Listening to your favorite tunes at extremely high volumes.
- Your hearing is muted as if there is water in your ears.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud situations.
- Regularly asking people to slow down or repeat themselves during a conversation.
When these warning signs start to accumulate, it’s a good sign that the perfect time to get a hearing exam is right now. You need to know what’s happening with your ears and that means getting a hearing exam as soon as possible.
What Are The Benefits of Hearing Testing?
Sophia may be late for her hearing exam for many reasons. Denial is a top choice. It could be that she’s just avoiding dealing with it. But getting your hearing tested on the recommended schedule has tangible advantages.
And it will be easier to diagnose hearing deviations in the future if you get your hearing tested by establishing a baseline reading even if it seems as if everything is normal. If you identify your hearing loss before it becomes obvious, you can safeguard it better.
The point of regular hearing testing is that somebody like Sofia will be in a position to identify concerns before her hearing is permanently diminished. Early diagnosis by a hearing examination can help your hearing stay healthy for a long time. It’s essential to understand how hearing loss will impact your overall health.