Baker Audiology

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GO FOR A HEARING TEST?

By Melissa Baker, MA, CCC-A, FAAA Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids

When was the last time you had your hearing tested? While many people know that they need a health check each year and a trip to the dentist a couple of times a year, many people are less sure about how often hearing tests are required.

Your hearing is one of your most vital senses as it performs so many functions. Your hearing can alert you to approaching danger, help you to communicate with others and maintain your awareness of your surroundings. Hearing clearly helps in every aspect of your life, from being at work to socializing with friends to watching the TV or chatting with family members. To ensure that your ability to hear stays at the best level possible, it is crucial to take care of it, and part of taking care of your hearing is through having regular hearing tests.

HEARING THE SOUNDS OF LIFE

20-21 WINNER

Melissa Baker, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA

We are an advanced hearing practice that specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing loss for all ages.

FREE HEARING SCREENING

UP TO $800 OFF A PAIR OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY HEARING AIDS* *Mention this ad.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm • Fri 9am-12pm 429 W 69th St • Sioux Falls, SD

GET A REGULAR HEARING TEST

Just as you schedule a regular vision test to keep up with changes to your sight, you need to do the same for your hearing. Detecting hearing loss early is essential, as early detection can help to prevent further decline in your ability to hear. Even if you are not experiencing any hearing loss, it is still important to attend regular hearing tests, just as you would for your vision appointments. Typically, adults should schedule themselves a hearing test once every three years, to check on their hearing and to ensure early detection of any hearing-related issues. Older adults, aged 50 years and over, may be advised to visit the audiologist for a hearing test more frequently than this. The reason for more regular screenings for adults over 50 is the fact that older adults are more likely to experience hearing loss. Children usually have a hearing test carried out shortly after birth as part of their newborn health screening. The infant health screening includes several different checks, with the hearing test being just one part of this. As children get older and start school, they usually have their hearing tested at various points during their time in education.

For many, school is the last time that their hearing was tested. It is vital to get your hearing checked again after leaving school instead of waiting until you notice a decline in your hearing. Even if you are not experiencing any type of hearing loss, a test can help provide a baseline for your hearing. The results of any subsequent hearing tests can then be compared to this baseline to detect any changes that have occurred.