Untreated hearing loss is linked to a number of conditions, including anxiety, depression, falls and even dementia. Because of this, it’s important to get your hearing tested regularly and seek treatment right away if your audiogram indicates a hearing loss. Below we review the signs it’s time to get a hearing test.
Hearing Tests Vs. Hearing Screenings
First, it’s important to know the difference between hearing tests and hearing screenings.
Hearing tests are conducted when you’re exhibiting symptoms of hearing loss, such as feeling that people are constantly mumbling, turning up the TV louder than others prefer and having trouble following conversations at Little Bear. Conducted by audiologists, hearing tests are comprehensive; the results reveal exactly how loud sounds have to be in each frequency range in order for you to hear them.
Hearing screenings help you decipher whether you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss and indicate whether further testing is needed. Hearing screenings usually consist of a handful of questions and can be taken online. Hearing screenings are often administered by employers if you’re exposed to loud noises regularly on the job.
Who Should Get a Hearing Test
You should get a comprehensive hearing test if…
- You have confirmed hearing loss. If you’re currently being treated for hearing loss, you need to get your hearing re-tested once a year to determine if there have been any changes to your hearing. If there are, your hearing aids need to be reprogrammed, or it may be time to upgrade.
- You’re over the age of 60. Even if you feel that you can hear fine, it’s a good idea to get a baseline hearing test to compare future hearing tests to. This will help identify if your hearing has changed.
- You suspect you have hearing loss. If you’ve taken a hearing screening that indicated you may have hearing loss, or if your loved ones tell you you’re exhibiting the signs, you should get your hearing tested right away.
Who Should Get a Hearing Screening
Those who should get their hearing screening include…
- Newborns. It’s important to screen newborns for hearing loss in order to ensure they meet their speech-language milestones.
- Workers in noisy occupations. If you’re at risk of developing hearing loss due to noise exposure on the job, you should get a hearing screening every one to two years.
For more information about the importance of treating your hearing loss or to schedule an appointment for a hearing test, call Advanced Hearing today.