When To Get Your Hearing Checked Depends on More Than Your Age

This National Protect Your Hearing Month, it’s important to remember that hearing health is crucial at every stage of life. While aging plays a role in hearing loss, it’s not the only factor. Regular hearing checkups are essential, no matter your age or current hearing condition. Let’s explore the different times and reasons you might need to get your hearing checked.

Factors Beyond Age That Impact Hearing

Age is not the only reason to check your hearing. Many factors contribute to hearing loss, and some may surprise you.

Common Factors That Lead to Hearing Loss

  • Exposure to loud noises: Prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage.
  • Infections or illnesses: Ear infections and certain diseases can reduce hearing ability.
  • Genetics: Family history can increase your likelihood of hearing loss.
  • Injury: Physical trauma to the ear or head can affect hearing.
  • Medications: Some medications are ototoxic and can harm your hearing.

Regular hearing tests can help catch issues early, preventing more severe problems.

Age-Specific Hearing Tests

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the elderly. It can strike at any age. Early diagnosis leads to better management.

Newborns and Children

Newborns typically undergo hearing screening before leaving the hospital. Regular checkups throughout childhood help identify any hearing issues early. Catching hearing loss in children is critical for language development and academic success.

Adults

Hearing should be tested every three to five years for adults between 18 and 60. It’s easy to overlook changes in hearing, but early testing can improve quality of life.

Seniors

Those over 60 should have their hearing checked annually. Hearing naturally declines with age, and routine exams ensure you receive treatment before it worsens.

Fingers turn a volume control up.

Signs That You Should Get Your Hearing Checked

Hearing loss often develops slowly, making it hard to notice. Regular checkups are important, but some signs should prompt you to schedule an immediate test.

Key Warning Signs of Hearing Loss

  • Asking people to repeat themselves often
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
  • Turning up the TV or radio volume frequently
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Struggling to hear conversations, especially women’s or children’s voices

If you notice these signs, schedule a hearing test as soon as possible.

Learn more about early signs of hearing loss in adults

The Health Impacts of Untreated Hearing Loss

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears. It impacts your overall health, relationships, and quality of life.

The Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss

  • Cognitive decline: Studies link untreated hearing loss with an increased risk of dementia.
  • Social isolation: Hearing loss can make conversations difficult, leading to withdrawal from social settings.
  • Mental health: Depression, anxiety, and stress often accompany untreated hearing loss.
  • Fatigue: The strain of trying to hear can leave you physically and mentally exhausted.

Catching hearing issues early allows for better management and prevents these long-term effects.

A woman puts an ear plug into her ear.

Protecting Your Hearing

Prevention is just as important as treatment when it comes to hearing health. You can take simple steps to protect your hearing, no matter your age.

Ways to Protect Your Hearing

  • Use ear protection: Wear earplugs at loud events like concerts or sporting events.
  • Monitor volume: Keep personal devices like headphones at a reasonable volume.
  • Take breaks: Give your ears a rest when exposed to loud environments for extended periods.

Protecting your hearing now can save you from significant issues later in life.

The Importance of Regular Hearing Checkups

It’s easy to neglect hearing checkups, but they’re just as important as any other health exam. If you haven’t had your hearing checked recently, now is the time.

Why You Should Prioritize Hearing Tests

  • Early detection: Regular exams catch problems before they worsen.
  • Better treatment options: Treating hearing loss early increases the likelihood of successful intervention.
  • Improved quality of life: Hearing well helps you stay engaged in conversations, relationships, and activities you enjoy.

Hearing checkups are quick and painless. Prioritize them as part of your routine healthcare.

When Should You Get Your Hearing Checked?

Everyone should get their hearing checked regularly, but some people need more frequent screenings.

Who Needs Hearing Tests More Frequently?

  • People over 60: Annual tests are essential.
  • People with hearing loss: Even if you wear hearing aids, you need regular checkups.
  • People exposed to loud noises: Musicians, construction workers, and hunters should have yearly exams.
  • Anyone with sudden changes: If you notice a rapid decline in your hearing, schedule a test immediately.

The frequency of your tests depends on your lifestyle, age, and risk factors.

Don’t Wait—Get Your Hearing Checked for National Protect Your Hearing Month

Hearing loss is more than just an inconvenience. It affects every aspect of your life, from social interactions to mental health. Regularly checking your hearing can prevent long-term damage and improve your overall well-being.

Schedule a hearing exam with American Hearing + Audiology today to stay ahead of hearing loss and protect your hearing health for the future.