How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Checked?

We know that it’s essential to get our health checked regularly. For most, this will call to mind making an appointment with the doctor, dentist and maybe with an optometrist too. What often doesn’t feel like a priority is making an appointment with an audiologist. This could be because you don’t even realize that you can do that or it might be that you don’t think you need to. However, the reality is that regular hearing checkups are just as important as every other health checkup you can have. 
 
It’s easy to take our hearing for granted, and the fact that, when it does start to deteriorate, it can often do so very slowly, means that it’s hard to notice something going wrong. This in itself is an excellent reason to see an audiologist regularly. Read on to find out more about how often you should do this. 
 
The first thing to consider is your age. A newborn will have their hearing tested almost immediately, and throughout our childhoods, there are often additional tests that take place at school or arranged by the local authority. However, as we grow up, these tests are no longer so commonplace. Unfortunately, it is as we get older that they become even more critical. 
 
As a guide, anyone between the ages of 18 and 40 should get their hearing checked by an audiologist every three to five years, assuming they’re not experiencing any hearing loss. However, some individuals should be checked more often than that. 

Over 60

When you reach 60 and older, it’s more likely that you’ll experience age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis. Over time, the hair cells within the inner ear become more damaged and worn, meaning that some noises are no longer so easily heard. Around one in three people will have some form of hearing loss by the time they’re 65, and that rises to two in three people by the age of 75. 
 
For those over the age of 60, it’s wise to have an annual hearing loss check up to see if presbycusis is occurring. It’s better to notice this sooner rather than later so that something can be done before it becomes too severe, which is why more frequent tests are needed. This is the case even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms. 

Loud Noises 

Anyone who works in a loud environment or attends loud events regularly should also have their hearing checked more frequently, no matter what their age might be. Although presbycusis is the most common reason for hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss is the second biggest cause and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. 
 
For those who are exposed to loud noises on a frequent basis, permanent damage can be done to the hearing system. Because of this, their hearing should be checked annually. While they are having your hearing checked, your audiologist can suggest some ear protection methods to help them in the future. 

Hearing Loss 

It may not seem necessary to visit an audiologist if you have already been diagnosed with hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, but in fact, if this is the case, it’s more important than ever to see your audiologist regularly. 
 
Although you may have been diagnosed as having hearing loss, that’s not the end of the story. Sometimes hearing loss can change over time, and that would mean the hearing devices you currently use may no longer be powerful enough to help you. Or perhaps you simply don’t feel comfortable with the hearing aids you were initially prescribed. Speaking to your audiologist at your annual to ensure your hearing aids are the right ones for you and to see if your hearing loss has changed can ensure that your hearing is as good as it can be. 

Contact Us Today 

If you feel that you need to have your hearing checked because you think that you are experiencing hearing loss or because you work in a noisy environment or for any other reason, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 912-351-3038. Our experts can help you learn more about audiologist and hearing aid services and you can have peace of mind that you are doing the right thing.