Contact Us
Call Us (631) 378-0061 Most of the time, people are unaware that they have hearing loss. It develops so gradually that it’s typically undetectable, and on top of that, most family doctors do not regularly screen for hearing loss at the yearly physical exam.
Considering these two realities, it’s no surprise that most people first find out they have hearing loss by being told about it from close friends or family members. But once people confront you about your hearing loss, it’s more than likely already relatively advanced. Given that hearing loss gets worse over time—and cannot be fully recovered once lost—it’s critical to treat hearing loss as quickly as possible rather of waiting for it to get bad enough for people to notice.
So when and how often should you get your hearing tested? Here are our suggestions:
Establish a Baseline Early
It’s never too early to consider your first hearing test. The earlier you test your hearing, the sooner you can create a baseline to compare future tests. The only method to determine if your hearing is getting worse is by comparing the results with past testing.
Although it’s true that as you get older you’re more likely to have hearing loss, keep in mind that 26 million people between the age of 20 and 69 have hearing loss. Hearing loss is widespread among all age groups, and exposure to loud noise places everyone at risk regardless of age.
Annual Tests After Age 55
At the age of 65, one out of every three people will have some level of hearing loss. Considering hearing loss is so typical near this age, we advise annual hearing tests to ensure that your hearing is not worsening. Remember, hearing loss is permanent, cumulative, and practically undetectable. However, with once-a-year hearing exams, hearing loss can be identified early, and treatment is always more effective when implemented earlier.
Assess Personal Risk Factors
As reported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “approximately 15 percent of Americans (26 million people) between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities.”
If you have been subjected to noisy work environments or activities such as music concerts or sporting events, it’s a good idea to have your hearing tested. It’s also a good idea to get an annual hearing test if you consistently expose your hearing to these conditions.
Watch for Signs of Hearing Loss
As we noted earlier, the signs and symptoms of hearing loss are often first detected by others. You should schedule a hearing test if someone has suggested it to you or if you encounter any of these signs or symptoms:
- Muffled hearing
- Trouble following what people are saying, especially in loud settings or in groups
- People commenting on how loud you have the TV or radio
- Avoiding social situations and conversations
- Ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Ear pain, irritation, or discharge
- Vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems
Don’t Wait Until the Harm is Done
The bottom line is that hearing loss is prevalent among all age groups and that we all live in the presence of several work-related and everyday risk factors. Seeing that hearing loss is hard to detect, worsens over time, and is best treated early, we highly recommend that you get your hearing tested regularly. You might end up saving your hearing with early intervention, and the worst that can happen is that you find out you have normal hearing.
Speak Your Mind