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When to Get Your Hearing Tested

Keep your ears healthy and protect your hearing. Find out when to get your hearing tested.

March 26, 2019 | HF Healthy Living Team

Almost one in three Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 suffers from hearing loss. While hearing loss can occur over time, it’s never too late to start taking care of your ears.

Stay on top of your ear health and learn how preventive care can help protect your hearing. Click the photos below to find out when to get tested and how to manage ear care.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to
Your Doctor

During your regular checkups, you should have your hearing screened by your Primary Care Provider (PCP). This will help monitor your ear health and recognize signs of early hearing loss. If there are any, your PCP will refer you to an audiologist, a healthcare professional who specializes in hearing problems. If you’re a parent, make sure your child has an ear exam, and learn how to handle infections before they worsen.

Know the Signs

Knowing Signs
of Hearing Loss

If you experience difficulty following sounds at a normal volume, there could be a chance that your hearing is damaged. These cases include: persistent ringing in the ears, mumbled voices, often asking others to repeat themselves, turning up the TV or radio, and even speaking too loudly. Remember, pay attention to any warning signs that cause you to struggle and focus when it comes to your hearing.

Re-evaluate Your Lifestyle

Re-evaluate
Your Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle can help you manage your well-being as best as possible. When you eat well and exercise, your heart is able to pump blood throughout your body, including to the ears. Having a healthy cardiovascular system allows your ears to hear and function properly. If you need help managing your lifestyle, talk to your doctor.

Protect Your Ears

Protect
Your Ears

Protect your ears from everyday noises. Noise-induced hearing loss may occur from unsafe sounds in the environment. If you work in a place where uninterrupted noise is present for extended periods, make sure you have the right devices to protect your ears. Contact your doctor if you notice an immediate change to your hearing.

Ear Care

All your ears need is basic care. When it comes to clearing earwax, an ear swab should be used only to clean the outer ear and never deep inside the canal. You may accidentally damage the eardrum if you insert the ear swab too deep inside the ear. If you have heavy earwax, make an appointment with your doctor to help you clean it out.

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This health information or program is for educational purposes only and not intended to treat, diagnose, or act as a substitute for medical advice from your provider. Consult your healthcare provider and always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Sources
“Hearing Loss and Older Adults.” National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed April 18, 2018.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-older-adults

“Get Your Hearing Checked.” Healthfinder. Accessed April 18, 2018.
https://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-your-hearing-checked

“Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.” National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed April 18, 2018.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss

“Hearing Disorders and Deafness.” MedlinePlus. Accessed April 18, 2018.
https://medlineplus.gov/hearingdisordersanddeafness.html

“How Exercise Can Help Your Ears.” Everyday Health. Accessed April 20, 2018.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/living-well-with-hearing-loss/how-exercise-can-help-your-ears/

“Taking Care of Your Ears.” KidsHealth. Accessed April 20, 2018.
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/ear-care.html