If you haven’t had your hearing tested since your grade school days, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, we have a habit of treating hearing loss reactively rather than proactively, and a normal adult checkup usually doesn’t include a hearing test. As a matter of fact, even when they know they have loss of hearing, most people neglect it for up to seven years which can significantly affect your health. In fact, over time, it’s been proven that your overall health expense will increase if you have untreated hearing loss.
The good news, In order for our hearing specialists to assist you, we recommend a hearing test which is simple, pain-free and gives a wealth of information. Both to learn if interventions like hearing aids are helping you and also for diagnosing potential hearing issues. When you were younger, you may remember the audiometry test from school, but a full hearing exam will give you a clearer understanding of your hearing without a lollipop or sticker.
It’s important that you regularly have your hearing examined even though you may not typically give your hearing as much attention as your teeth or eyes. You might not detect something wrong with your hearing for some time. Because loss of hearing commonly occurs slowly over time it’s not easy to detect it at first, but the sooner you can, the more likely you will be able to successfully deal with it.
When Should You Get Examined?
Usually the hospital will screen infants for hearing loss before they release them. Teenagers should be tested during regular checkups with their physicians and children should get formal hearing tests at the ages of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 years old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you are between the ages of 18 to 45, it is recommended that you have your hearing examined every five years and then more often as you age. After you turn 60 you need to get examined every two years and if you are between 46 and 60 every three. But you might need to get tested more often. The regularity with which you need to get tested will ultimately depend on your specific situation. You should have your hearing examined immediately if you find that it isn’t as good as it once was. Several health issues are associated with neglected hearing loss, like increased chance of falling, mental decline, and depression. It can also influence your relationships and your ability to do work efficiently.
There are also circumstances in which you should get a hearing test as soon as possible to address loss of hearing that could get worse. The following scenarios indicate that you need to get a hearing test right away:
- Pinpointing where sounds are coming from is difficult
- You are experiencing vertigo
- Conversations are difficult to hear when you are in a crowded area especially
- You find yourself having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves
- Your ears have constant ringing in them
- There is earwax buildup or you had an ear infection
Another factor is whether you are at a higher risk for hearing loss. You should have your hearing tested more often, for example, if you are exposed to loud noise or if hearing loss runs in your family.
There are also over 200 ototoxic medicines. From Aspirin to some antibiotics, these medications can be very bad for your hearing. In order to make sure none of your medications are affecting your ears, consult your doctor. If you need to take a medication that you know is ototoxic, think about getting more regular hearing testing so you can manage any hearing loss immediately.
Also, think about your habits and whether they may contribute to hearing loss. Are you using earbuds regularly? There’s been a noticeable rise in younger people who have hearing loss, which many experts attribute to the increased use of earbuds and other headsets. shows, loud concerts, and machinery can also do considerable damage to your ears. If you think that it’s time for you to get your hearing tested, schedule an appointment today.