If you haven’t had your hearing checked since your grade school days, you’re not alone. It’s not normally part of a routine adult physical and unfortunately, we often deal with hearing reactively rather than proactively. Most people disregard hearing loss, even when they are aware of it, for up to seven years which can significantly affect your health. As a matter of fact, untreated hearing loss has been shown to increase your healthcare costs over the years.
The good news, So that our hearing professionals to assist you, we suggest a hearing test which is simple, pain-free and gives a wide range of important information. Both to find out if interventions such as hearing aids are helping you and also for diagnosing potential hearing issues. A full audiometry test is more involved than what you might remember from childhood and you won’t get a lollipop or a sticker when it’s done but you’ll get a much clearer understanding of your hearing.
While you might not give the condition of your hearing as much attention as you do the health of your eyes or your teeth, it is crucial that you regularly get your hearing examined. It can be a considerable time before you notice that there is a problem with your hearing. Because hearing loss normally takes place slowly over time it’s not easy to notice it at first, but the sooner you can, the more likely you will be able to efficiently deal with it.
When Should You Get Examined?
All newborns should be screened for hearing loss, and normally, the hospital does that before they are sent home. Teenagers should be tested during routine exams with their physicians and children should get formal hearing assessments 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 and 45, it is suggested that you get your hearing checked every five years and then more frequently as you age. You need to get checked every three years if you are 46 to 60 years old and then every two years after you turn 60. But don’t let that to stop you. The regularity with which you need to get examined will ultimately depend on your individual circumstances. You should have your hearing examined right away if you notice it isn’t as good as it once was. Several health concerns are associated with neglected hearing loss, like increased chance of falling, cognitive decline, and depression. It can also impact your relationships and your ability to work efficiently.
And you need to have a hearing exam, in some situations, as soon as you can if you have hearing loss that is getting worse quickly. An immediate hearing test is advisable if:
- You are unable to hear conversations, particularly when in crowded areas
- Your ears have constant ringing in them
- Your ear was infected, or there was a buildup of earwax
- You are experiencing vertigo
- You find yourself having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves
- It is difficult to pinpoint where sounds are coming from
Whether you are at risk of hearing loss is another factor. As an example, if loss of hearing runs in your family or you are exposed to loud noises regularly you should get your hearing checked more regularly.
Also, over 200 ototoxic medications exist. These medications can be quite harmful for your hearing and they range from some antibiotics to aspirin. Consult your doctor to make sure any medicines you are taking aren’t affecting your hearing. Consider having your hearing tested more often in order to address any loss of hearing right away if you are taking any ototoxic medications.
Also, think about how your habits might be impacting your hearing loss. Are you using earbuds regularly? Hearing loss has substantially increased in younger people, and many experts believe that this is because of the use of headphones and earbuds. Your hearing can also be substantially damaged by machinery, shows, or loud concerts. If you feel that it’s time for you to have your hearing checked, schedule an appointment today.