Most of us rarely tend to think of our ears when it comes to looking after our health. We may go to the dentist once every six months to check for issues and have our teeth cleaned, attend annual general health check-ups, and maybe get our vision tested every couple of years.
Our hearing, however, rarely receives much attention unless there is a very obvious problem.
Since hearing loss is a condition which develops slowly over time, it may be hard to notice at first and the ones affected may not be aware of the gradual changes to their ability to hear. This is the reason why regular hearing tests are important, especially as we age, as they help us establish early signs of hearing loss that can potentially cause bigger issues over time.
How Often Should I Have My Hearing Tested?
If you are an adult, it is generally recommended that you have your hearing checked at least once every decade. If you are aged 60 or over, however, it is best to have a test annually. That is because as we age, the inner hair cells which transmit sound down the ear canal begin to deteriorate, gradually leading to hearing loss.
In case you are younger than 60, but work in an industry associated with lots of loud noise (like construction, for example), you should have your hearing checked every couple of years. This will help you identify any damage you might have suffered and the most suitable treatment.
Benefits of Regular Hearing Tests
Presbycusis (also known as age-related hearing loss) affects more than half of people aged 75, most people over the age of 80 and all adults aged 90 or over. However, it can occur as early as one’s thirties or forties and gradually becomes worse over time.
Attending regular hearing tests can help you detect the condition while it’s still in its early stages and avoid the various complications that more serious hearing loss often comes with. Some very good reasons to have your hearing checked regularly include:
- Establishing your baseline: even if you don’t currently have hearing loss, knowing exactly where you stand with your hearing can help your audiologist in the diagnosis of any hearing conditions that can potentially occur at a later time
- Improving communication: if you already have a level of hearing loss, communication with friends and family can sometimes be awkward and receiving appropriate treatment can help make conversations enjoyable again
- Checking your overall ear health: besides checking for hearing loss, hearing tests can help you keep track of your overall ear health and identify any issues such as a build-up of earwax, infections, fluid, injuries, etc.
- Identifying other health issues: hearing loss can be a symptom of other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure and getting your hearing checked can be the first step towards detecting them
- Preventing further damage: if you do have hearing loss, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the condition from worsening over time and improve your overall quality of life
How Do I Know if I Need My Hearing Checked?
Some warning signs you should look out for that might mean your hearing could be damaged include the following:
- Always asking people to repeat themselves
- Finding conversations challenging when there is background noise
- Struggling to hear higher pitched sounds (e.g., voices of women and children)
- Having tinnitus (persistent buzzing/ringing/roaring sound in your ears)
- Always turning up the TV volume
- Repeatedly sleeping through your alarm
Hear4U’s Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessments
We at Hear4U offer comprehensive in-depth hearing evaluations that are completely free of charge. We use cutting edge diagnostic technology to carry out several types of tests that give us a full idea of your ability to hear. This allows us to provide you with a precise diagnosis and identify the most suitable treatment if such is required.
If you think you might have an issue with your hearing, or would simply like a preventive check up to make sure everything is fine with your ear system, why not book a free hearing test with us? Fill in the form below to book your appointment!
