You don’t need to feel like your by yourself if you haven’t had a hearing test since you were a youngster. It isn’t normally part of a routine adult physical and sadly, we often deal with hearing reactively instead of proactively. As a matter of fact, even when they know they have hearing loss, the majority of people neglect it for up to seven years which can severely impact your health. As a matter of fact, over time, it’s been proven that your general health expense will increase if you have untreated loss of hearing.

The good news, So that our hearing specialists to assist you, we suggest a hearing exam which is easy, pain-free and provides a wide range of important information. Both to learn if interventions like hearing aids are helping you and also for diagnosing potential hearing problems. When you were a child, you may remember the audiometry test from school, but a full hearing exam will give you a better understanding of your hearing without a lollipop or sticker.

While you might not give the state of hearing as much thought as you do the health of your teeth or your eyes, it is crucial that you regularly have your hearing examined. It can be a long time before you recognize that there is an issue with your hearing. Because loss of hearing normally occurs slowly over time it’s not easy to notice it at first, but the sooner you do, the more likely you will be able to effectively deal with it.

When Should You Get Tested?

All newborns should be evaluated for hearing loss, and usually, the hospital handles that before they are released. Teenagers should be tested during routine exams with their physicians and children should have formal hearing assessments at the ages of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 years old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics.

It’s recommended that if you are in between the ages of 18 and 49, you get your hearing checked every five years and then, as you get older, more frequently. You need to get tested every three years if you are 46 to 60 years old and then every two years after you turn 60. But don’t allow that to stop you. Your individual situation will dictate when you should get a test. If you find that your hearing isn’t what it used to be, you should have it examined right away. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, depression and a greater risk of falls and other health issues. Your capacity to work effectively and your relationships can also be influenced.

There are also scenarios in which you should have a hearing exam as soon as possible to address loss of hearing that could get worse. An immediate hearing test is advisable if:

• You find yourself having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves
• Conversations are difficult to hear when you are in a crowded area especially
• You are experiencing vertigo
• Pinpointing where sounds are coming from is difficult
• There is earwax buildup or you had an ear infection
• Your ears have constant ringing in them

Another factor is whether you are at a greater risk for hearing loss. As an example, if hearing loss runs in your family or you are subjected to loud noises regularly you should have your hearing checked more frequently.

There are also over 200 ototoxic medications. These medications can be quite harmful for your hearing and they range from some antibiotics to aspirin. So that you can be certain none of your medications are impacting your ears, consult your doctor. If you need to use a medication that you know is ototoxic, think about getting more frequent hearing testing so you can deal with any hearing loss right away.

Also, consider your habits and whether they may contribute to hearing loss. Are you using earbuds regularly? There’s been a noticeable increase in younger people with hearing loss, which many experts attribute to the increased use of earbuds and other headsets. shows, loud concerts, and machinery can also do appreciable harm to your hearing. If you think that it’s time for you to have your hearing tested, schedule an appointment today.