Posted by: Eye Centers of Florida in Uncategorized
How Often Should I Get My Hearing Checked?
Whether it’s trouble with your vision, hearing, or other parts of the body, many people only give their doctor a call when something goes wrong. However, when it comes to your hearing, there’s no such thing as being too careful—especially since hearing loss can be so gradual, you may not even notice it’s happening!
Even when people notice their hearing is declining, studies show the average adult takes seven years or more to finally address their hearing loss.
Who Is Affected by Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss affects approximately 15 percent of American adults. One out of three people over the age of 65 have some degree of hearing loss, and that percentage doubles for those over the age of 75.
For people who experience hearing loss early in life, it may be easier to adapt to losing one’s hearing. But for adults who have been able to hear for their entire lives, a primary mode of communication being compromised can be a frustrating adjustment.
Hospitals test infants for hearing problems before they are taken home, and grade school children generally get a hearing test every year. But after that, when should people get their hearing checked? If so, how often?
Your doctor can conduct a hearing test during your annual physical exam, but just like visits to the dentist, many people forget their yearly physical if nothing is wrong with them.
When You Can Get Your Hearing Checked
Hospitals test infants for hearing problems before they are taken home, and grade school children generally get a hearing test every year. But after that, when should people get their hearing checked? If so, how often?
Your doctor can conduct a hearing test during your annual physical exam, but just like visits to the dentist, many people forget their yearly physical if nothing is wrong with them.
Why Many People Miss Their Hearing Checkups
Instead of a yearly physical, many people go to a specialist for something specific they need to take care of, like a sprained ankle, torn rotator cuff, or chronic pain. If you visit your doctor for one of these issues, how likely are you to request a hearing test?
Even if you don’t visit your primary care physician or your dentist every year for a checkup or cleaning, you realize the importance of doing so. Preventive care is essential to long-term health and checking up on your hearing is no exception.
When You Should Get Your Hearing Checked
Hearing issues can arise at any point in your life — even in younger people, due to the increase in use of headphones and earbuds. Damage from everyday loud noise like traffic, restaurants, live music, and sporting events is causing those in their teens and twenties to be affected more than other groups. The CDC reports almost 40 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have at least partial noise-induced hearing loss.
Having your hearing checked in your twenties establishes a baseline against which your future hearing tests will be measured, so audiologists can monitor any change in your hearing. Experts recommend getting tested every 10 years until you turn 50, and every three years after that.
Where Can I Get My Hearing Checked?
Hearing loss sometimes occurs gradually, so it’s important to catch any hearing issues before they become a more significant problem.
While many hearing tests are available online, they may vary in accuracy, depending on factors such as outside noise and the volume on your computer or smartphone. Schedule your free in-person hearing assessment at Eye Centers of Florida with our hearing specialist Chris Trimble today!
