Hearing loss is not a static condition. No matter what kind of hearing loss you have—sensorineural, conductive, age-related, noise-induced—it will continue to progress over time, even if you’ve begun hearing loss treatment. Because of this, one hearing test will not be sufficient in the long run for tracking and managing your hearing loss. It may be time for a retest.
Reasons You Might Need a Repeat Hearing Test
There are several reasons why you might need a repeat hearing test. Here are the three biggest categories.
Proactive Hearing Health Care
Perhaps you had a hearing test a few years ago, and your results were within the normal hearing range. Now that it’s been a while, it might be a good idea to check back in with those results and see if anything has changed. Even if there is a change in your hearing, but it’s not enough to necessitate beginning hearing loss treatment yet, it’s still useful information to know that a change has occurred.
Checking in on Your Hearing Loss
On the other hand, perhaps you had a hearing test a few years ago and found that you did have hearing loss to some degree. As stated above, hearing loss will continue to develop, even if you’re undergoing treatment. It’s wise to keep your finger on the pulse of any changes so you can adjust your treatment or even your lifestyle, such as prioritizing hearing protection if you have noise-induced hearing loss.
Adjusting Your Hearing Aids
If you’re already wearing hearing aids, that doesn’t mean you’re done with hearing tests. On the contrary, having a hearing test performed while wearing your hearing aids can help determine if they’re meeting your hearing needs. It may be that they need their settings adjusted to match changes in your hearing loss, or perhaps your current set can no longer adequately serve your hearing needs, necessitating an upgrade.
Signs You Need a Retest that You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you’re wondering if it’s time for a hearing retest, here are some signs to watch out for.
It’s Been Several Years
The World Health Organization recommends that you come in for a hearing test every five years until age 64, then every one to three years from age 65 onward. If your last hearing test falls outside these guidelines, it’s wise to schedule an appointment.
Noticing New Symptoms of Hearing Loss
If you already have a hearing loss diagnosis and have been living with hearing loss for a while, you probably have a good grasp on what your symptoms are. However, if you notice any new symptoms or feel like existing symptoms have gotten more pronounced, get your hearing tested. Some of these symptoms include:
- Mishearing words frequently
- Sounds seem muffled or quiet
- Difficulty hearing in noisy places
- Turning up the volume on the TV
Constantly Needing to Adjust Your Hearing Aids
Turning the volume up on your devices or constantly fiddling with the settings could indicate that they’re no longer addressing your hearing needs properly. Get them checked out at a hearing test.
Make an Appointment
If any of these reasons sound familiar to you, don’t wait to make an appointment. Proactively managing hearing health can make treatment go much smoother and prolong the progression of hearing loss. Contact PDX ENT today to schedule a hearing retest.
