Approximately 15% of American adults report hearing trouble, and this group includes all adults age 18 and older. It’s essential to monitor your hearing health, even if you don’t believe you have any symptoms of hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Can Affect Anyone
It’s a common stigma that hearing loss is an age-related condition, but this is not necessarily accurate. While it is true that age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is the most common type of hearing loss, hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. In our modern world, we’re surrounded by noise every day; cases of noise-induced hearing loss are on the rise, especially among young people.
How Often Should I Have My Hearing Tested?
We’ve compiled some recommendations on how frequently you should have your hearing tested below. These guidelines may change if you already know you have hearing loss, work in an especially noisy industry, take ototoxic medications or have a preexisting condition or genetic disposition that makes hearing loss more likely.
Age 18 to 40
In this age group, noise-induced hearing loss is your biggest concern. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 25% of all American workers have been exposed to hazardous noise levels, and over half of them don’t wear hearing protection. Even if you don’t work in a noisy work environment, everyday sounds, such as sirens, construction, traffic and media from headphones and TVs, can reach hazardous volume levels without us even realizing.
Due to this, we recommend that adults aged 18 to 40 have their hearing tested every five years. You may consider having your hearing tested more often if you work in a noisy industry or have hobbies or a lifestyle that exposes you to loud noise, such as hunting or motorsports.
Age 40 to 50
At age 40, presbycusis may set in. Presbycusis progresses very gradually, so you may not notice it right away, meaning that setting a baseline of your hearing ability is critical for early detection of hearing loss. From age 40 to age 50, we recommend continuing on the five-year hearing test cycle set from age 18–40, with the specific intention to set your hearing ability baseline by age 50.
Age 50 to 65
Beginning at age 50, we recommend getting your hearing screened every three to five years, as presbycusis becomes more common. You may be encouraged by your hearing health professional to come in more frequently if the beginning stages of presbycusis were detected in your forties.
Age 65 and older
After age 65, we (as well as the World Health Organization) recommend annual hearing tests. Much like you have annual vision tests and physicals, it’s good to stay on top of hearing health. Presbycusis is a common and natural part of aging, so being proactive is key.
Make an Appointment
If it’s been too long since your last hearing exam, it’s time to make an appointment. Call SH Audiology today to schedule a hearing exam.