How Often Should You go for a Hearing Test?

If you live within this country, there’s a high possibility that you’ve attended frequent hearing screenings throughout your earlier years – beginning as a newborn before you leave the hospital. 

For children, it’s recommended to have their hearing tested every year up to the age of 10 or if there are any specific concerns regarding it. If you’ve noticed a change in your child’s hearing, book an appointment with your audiologist as soon as you can.

However, once you reach adulthood, these hearing screenings are no longer mandatory and can often be forgotten about. Because of this, hearing loss can develop over time without you realizing. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have your hearing tested regularly, similarly to your annual doctor or dental checkups. It can be difficult to know when you should have your hearing tested, and sometimes, it may be recommended – even if you don’t think any problems are present. A hearing test can establish a baseline for future evaluations, making it easier to see if your hearing begins to degrade over time.

According to the American Speech and Language Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines, those between 18-40 should have their hearing tested every three to five years. 

Of course, if you’re over the age of 60 or are regularly exposed to loud noises, it’s vital that you book an appointment with your audiologist more regularly who will evaluate it. 

Changes in hearing 

If you suspect that your hearing is changing at a rapid rate, it’s essential that you visit your audiologist as soon as possible. During this visit, as aforementioned, they will evaluate your hearing and determine the type and degree of the hearing loss. An invaluable appointment, it will give you the support and guidance that you require.

But how do you determine a change in hearing?

It’s important that you take cues from how you’re responding to ever-changing environments and your ability to communicate with those around you. If you spot any of the following cues, you should book an appointment with your audiologist as soon as you can:

• You are frequently turning up the volume on electronic devices, such as the TV or your mobile.
• You have a regular sensation of ringing in your ears.
• You have difficulty hearing conversations, especially in louder environments.
• You constantly are asking people to repeat themselves or speak louder.
• You regularly notice muffling of speech.
• You tend to avoid certain social settings. 

Often, people believe that because they have a record of healthy hearing, they won’t require a regular hearing test. But it’s an invaluable preventative measure to take – no matter what your age. It’s vital not to leave it until the last minute to take action. So, take control of your hearing today.

Typical causes of hearing loss

There are several causes and risks that are associated with hearing loss. It’s critical to understand these so that you can take the appropriate precautionary measures. 

• Occupational noises: If you work within a loud environment you may be at risk of damaging your hearing.
• Recreational noises: Such as attending concerts regularly, riding a motorbike. These types of high noise levels can be dangerous for your hearing.
• A buildup of earwax: A temporary issue, earwax can block the ear canal and prevent sound waves from entering your ear correctly. Once this is removed, your hearing should return to normal.
• Aging: Over time, the inner ear structures can degenerate causing hearing loss.
• Ear infection: Causing issues to the outer or middle ear. This can be temporary or permanent. If this type of hearing loss occurs, your audiologist can recommend a suitable hearing solution such as hearing aids.
• Certain medications: There are certain medications such as sildenafil and gentamicin that have been linked to inner ear damage. Therefore, it’s vital that you read the risks associated with these before taking them.
• Certain illnesses: High fever and meningitis have been associated with cochlea damage. 

Book your hearing test today

Stay on top of your hearing and book an appointment at the Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center today. An experienced and skilled audiologist will be able to test your hearing and guide you in the right direction. 

To do this, give us a call at our Tarentum center at (724) 409-4439 or at our Vandergrift center at (724) 567-3233. We look forward to hearing from you and booking your hearing test appointment.