How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Checked?

Hearing is one of the five senses vital for survival. For perfect functioning, you should get your ears checked once in a while. Here are essential facts on how frequently you should have your hearing tested.

• Almost half of the people in the US that are older than 65 years have hearing loss.
• People over 60 should have their hearing often checked since age-related hearing loss or presbycusis becomes more common as we age.
• People who are exposed to loud noises, whatever their ages, may also experience noise-induced hearing loss.
• If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss and use hearing aids, having your hearing checked often may be necessary.

Many people do not include testing their hearing as a part of their annual medical examination. Yet, as the years roll on, one may not understand high frequencies as continual damage to hair cells in the inner ear becomes more common. To avoid this, ensure to get your hearing tested at least once a year, even if you do not notice any change in your hearing.

What To Expect When You Go for Hearing Testing: What an Audiologist May Do

An audiologist may do the following when you go to have your hearing checked:

• The audiologist will examine your medical and hearing health history.
• The audiologist will conduct hearing tests which include otoscopy and tympanometry.
• The audiologist will then present your audiology or hearing test results to you and explain the findings to you.
• The audiologist will suggest the following steps and propose a treatment plan in case there is hearing loss.
• The audiologist will offer follow-up action and care in case hearing loss has been found present.

It is best to have your hearing tests done by an audiologist, instead of a general physician.

What Physical Changes Occur in the Ear When You Experience Hearing Loss

There are three kinds of hearing loss, namely:

• Conductive
• Sensorineural
• Mixed

In sensorineural ear damage, damage occurs to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear known as stereocilia or the nerve pathways between the brain and the inner ear. This type of hearing loss affects both ears.

Conductive hearing loss affects the middle ear, eardrum or ear canal and stops sound from traveling well into the inner ear. When something solid is lodged within the ear, or the ear has suffered an infection or trauma.

Middle ear hearing occurs when there is a problem with middle or outer ear hearing loss. It is caused by disorders that run-in families or when you experience a head injury. It can affect one or both ears and can happen suddenly or gradually.

What Are the Treatment Options for Hearing Loss?

If wax builds up in your ear, causing hearing loss, you can use homegrown methods to remove it. For instance, over-the-counter solutions like wax softeners will come in handy. You can also use syringes to pour warm water into the inner ear to soften the wax and remove it.

If an object is stuck in your ear, causing you hearing loss, do not attempt to remove it at home as you could damage your ear. Visit an audiologist for hearing loss related to objects stuck inside the ear or unknown causes of hearing loss. However, if your hearing loss is due to a conductive hearing loss, your audiologist may suggest a cochlear implant or a hearing aid.

How Can You Prevent Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can have consequences to your emotional and mental health, as well as your physical health. Hearing loss can limit what you participate in, and that includes social activities. You can take some measures to prevent hearing loss.

You do not need to have hearing loss to have your ears checked by an audiologist. If you have not had any hearing check in recent years or have begun noticing that you have issues hearing clearly, it could be time to consult an audiologist. You can contact Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids by calling us today at (605) 610-3466 to book an appointment.