Few people give their hearing a second thought—until they start having problems. Constantly saying “what?” or asking other people to repeat what they have said are two surefire signs that it’s time to have your hearing tested. But unless there’s an obvious need, many Texans have no idea how often they should schedule a hearing exam.
A Hearing Exam Schedule for All Ages
Hearing loss is one of the most common physical health conditions in the United States. Approximately 48 million Americans of all ages have a hearing impairment to some extent. There are a number of possible causes; most common are noise exposure, aging, disease and trauma.
Why is early detection critical for hearing loss?
Early detection is crucial in treating hearing loss. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it gets; left untreated, hearing loss can lead to physical, social and psychological health issues. Patients are at risk for everything from loneliness and depression to dementia, kidney disease and a higher likelihood of falls.
What makes hearing loss hard to diagnose?
The problem is, it can be difficult to notice the signs of hearing loss. The brain is excellent at filling in the gaps by diverting cognitive resources from other areas like memory and concentration to assist in the hearing process. Studies show that an average of seven years passes from the initial onset of hearing loss until patients seek treatment.
How is hearing loss detected?
The best way to detect hearing loss is through a comprehensive hearing examination. But how often should you schedule a hearing test? This depends on a variety of factors including your age, risk factors, symptoms and overall health. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has put together the following schedule for hearing
tests:
- Adults under the age of 50 should have their hearing tested at least once every 10 years.
- Adults over the age of 50 should have their hearing tested every three years.
- Children should be tested when they enter school and at ages 6, 8 and 10. They should have an additional hearing test once during middle school and again during high school.
Who should have their hearing tested most often?
- Exposure to occupational or recreational noise.
- A family history of hearing loss.
- Viral or bacterial infections.
- Use of medications that have been linked to hearing loss.
- A head injury.
What should you do if you haven’t had your hearing tested?
If you haven’t had a hearing test in a while, contact ENT & Allergy Associates to schedule an appointment today.