More often than not, people are unaware that they have hearing loss. It occurs so gradually that it’s generally undetectable, and moreover, the majority of family doctors do not consistently test for hearing loss at the annual physical examination.
Bearing in mind these two facts, it’s no surprise that most people first find out they have hearing loss by being told about it from close friends or relatives. But once people confront you about your hearing loss, it’s more than likely already relatively advanced. Seeing that hearing loss gets worse over time—and cannot be completely restored once lost—it’s crucial to treat hearing loss as soon as possible instead 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 recommendations:
Establish a Baseline Early
It’s never too soon to get your first hearing test. The earlier you test your hearing, the earlier you can establish a baseline to compare future tests. The only method to determine if your hearing is worsening is by comparing the results with previous assessments.
While it’s true that as you become 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 common among all age groups, and being exposed to loud noise puts everyone at risk irrespective of age.
Annual Tests After Age 55
At the age of 65, one out of every three people will have some measure of hearing loss. Considering hearing loss is so typical near this age, we encourage once-a-year hearing tests to assure that your hearing is not worsening. Remember, hearing loss is permanent, cumulative, and practically undetectable. However, with once a year hearing tests, hearing loss can be discovered early, and treatment is always more effective when implemented earlier.
Assess Personal Risk Factors
According to 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 environments.
Watch for Signs of Hearing Loss
As we noted earlier, the signs and symptoms of hearing loss are often first discovered by others. You should set up a hearing test if someone has recommended it to you or if you encounter any of these signs or symptoms:
- Muffled hearing
- Trouble understanding what people are saying, especially in noisy 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, discomfort, or discharge
- Vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems
Don’t Wait Until the Harm is Done
The bottom line is that hearing loss is common 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 difficult to detect, gets worse over time, and is best treated early, we recommend that you get your hearing tested regularly. You might end up saving your hearing with early treatment, and the worst that can happen is that you find out you have normal hearing.