When to Take a Hearing Test

Most people don’t think too much about their hearing health. Even after changes in their hearing abilities, they may not realize how many sounds they’re missing. Hearing loss can be a very gradual process, and your brain makes adjustments to help you hear each day, so you never realize how much your hearing range has been affected. It can be hard to know when to take a hearing test, but watch for these signs, and learn when to take a hearing test.

Getting A Baseline Hearing Test

Can you remember the last time you had your hearing tested? If you’ve never had your hearing tested, schedule an appointment for a baseline hearing test. This test will measure your hearing range, and you’ll learn more about your ears. Knowing what sounds you can and can’t hear is important for monitoring your health in the future, and discovering a hearing loss early.

The Importance of Routine Testing

After your baseline hearing test, you should get a routine hearing test every few years to check back in with your hearing health. This allows you to monitor your hearing range, and make sure you’re still hearing all the sounds around you. Adults over 50 should have their hearing tested every three to four years, and adults over 65 should test their hearing every one to two years.

It’s important to have a routine hearing test even if you haven’t noticed any major changes in your hearing abilities. Hearing can change very slowly, and your brain has time to adjust to the new level of hearing. Your hearing may have been changing for several months or even years before you become aware of just how much hearing you’ve lost.

Watching for Signs of Hearing Loss

Along with routine testing, watch for signs of hearing loss. If you notice any changes in your hearing abilities, take it very seriously, and schedule a hearing test. Some of the signs of hearing loss include:

• Failing to hear someone speaking from the other side of the room.
• Frequently mishearing what’s being said and asking people to repeat themselves.
• Avoiding answering the phone because you struggle to hear what the other person is saying.
• Struggling to hear clearly in places with excessive background noise.
• Turning down invitations to social events, because you can’t follow conversations in crowded restaurants or homes.
• Increasing the volume on your phone, radio, and TV to follow what’s being said.
• Feeling very tired by the end of the day.

Causes of Hearing Loss

We often take our hearing for granted, but our ears are very astonishing. They help us localize sounds, know where a sound is coming from and how far away it is, and allows us to tell the difference between the voice of our child or the neighbor kid.

Sometimes hearing loss can be temporary, and can be reversed. A buildup of earwax in the ear canal can cause a temporary hearing loss, and an ear infection or buildup of fluid in the ear can also lead to a temporary hearing loss.

Permanent causes of hearing loss include an illness or injury that damages the ear canal or middle ear, blocking sounds from reaching the inner ear. Permanent hearing loss can also be caused by damage to the cells of the inner ear, most commonly from exposure to very loud noise, or as a part of the aging process as the cells get worn out. Have you noticed changes to your hearing? Schedule a hearing test to find out what kind of hearing loss you have, and what treatment options are available to you.

Treating Hearing Loss

The hearing test will tell you exactly what sounds you’re unable to hear. Whether these sounds are in high or low registers, hearing aids can be calibrated to match your unique hearing needs, and help you hear even in tough listening environments. Living with untreated hearing loss will lead to increased fatigue, communication challenges, relationship problems, and even social isolation, so treat your hearing loss as soon as possible to avoid these negative effects. Treating hearing loss with a quality pair of hearing devices will help you localize sounds, hear clearly during conversations, and help you maintain your independence.