How Often Should You go for a Hearing Test?

Hearing tests are an important diagnostic tool, used by audiologists to assess just how well a person’s hearing is performing. For anyone worried about their potential loss of hearing, it’s the best way to assuage these fears, and ensure any hearing loss issues are met with the care and attention that they require. 

And hearing tests are important for everyone and should be carried out on a regular basis as part of a normal health plan. If you’re curious about what a hearing test entails, and just how often you should go for one, be sure to read through the guide we’ve put together for you below. 

What happens during a hearing test?

A hearing test will usually take 30 minutes to complete, and there’s no need for worry over what equipment may be used during the test as it’s an entirely pain free process. 

A typical hearing test consists of four stages: A visual examination, an audiometry test, a bone conduction and then a pressure test. 

The visual examination assesses how healthy an ear looks from the outside, including earwax levels and the impact they may have on a person’s hearing. 

The audiometry test is there to assess how well a person picks up on different levels of sound. Included in this part of the test is a speech recognition segment, in which words must be heard and spoken aloud. 

The bone conduction is a further test that allows an audiologist to assess how well a person processes sound upon hearing something.  

The pressure test is used to check for any problems within the inner ear, including a fluid or earwax buildup, or to see if the eardrum has been perforated in any way. 

How can a hearing test help you?

A hearing test can help you by providing you with answers to the potential hearing difficulty you may be living with during everyday life. If you are in need of specialised equipment to ensure you’re living comfortably with sound, an audiologist will be able to use your hearing test results to match you with the right hearing technology based on your level of need, as well as various lifestyle factors. 

For someone working in an industrial environment, and consistently surrounded by loud and continuous noises, you have the right as an employee to have a hearing test conducted as a part of workplace safety. An audiologist will not only assist you with a hearing test appointment but will also provide you with information about protecting your ears and hearing within your working environment. 

How often should you go for a hearing test?

Hearing tests are usually first conducted when a person is in grade school, and very few times after that. Indeed, most adults will not have been tested for at least 15 years – if this sounds like a situation, you’re in, it’s time to get your hearing tested. You may be able to ask for it to be included as part of an annual physical exam, if you are someone who receives annual appointments. 

Generally, it’s important to have your hearing tested at least once every ten years, usually until a person reaches the age of 50. After this milestone, a hearing test is recommended once every three years. 

Most people will be put through for a hearing screening first of all, which can only be passed or failed. If someone passes, further hearing tests will usually not be required. If a person fails, it’s then an audiologist will put you through a complete hearing test.

For someone already wearing hearing aids, it’s important to have your hearing tested at least once every three years. 

Call us today

If you haven’t been for a hearing test recently, or you think you’d benefit from scheduling one in the near future, be sure to get in touch with us. Here at Clifton Springs Hearing Center, we want to put you first, and make sure every single one of your hearing worries and needs are addressed in a calm, safe, and suitable environment.  

A hearing test could do you the world of good, and we pride ourselves on ensuring that for our patients. We have expert audiologists on call for advice and aid, who can determine whether a simple evaluation or a complete hearing test will be required for your potential level of hearing loss. 

So, get in touch with us today. Call us at 315-496-4314 to schedule an appointment that’s both convenient and efficient for you.