It is estimated that as many as one in three adults in the UK are deaf, or have hearing loss or tinnitus. This equates to over 18 million people.
What’s more, over half of those who are 55 or older will have some form of hearing loss, while in those aged over 70 years old, the prevalence of hearing loss on some level increases to almost 80 per cent.
This means there are likely many people who are going through life, especially as they age, unable to fully enjoy conversations and social situations because they struggle to fully hear what’s going on.
What are the signs that you should get your hearing tested?
In many cases, hearing loss happens gradually. This can make it hard to recognise that you might need to book a hearing test in Huddersfield or wherever you live, because you haven’t noticed that your hearing has deteriorated.
However, it’s likely that the people around you have spotted signs, like you wanting the TV volume to be a bit higher, or regularly not hearing someone when they speak to you the first time.
If you notice any of these signs yourself – or a loved one points them out to you – it could be time to go for a hearing test.
How often should you get your hearing tested?
The general advice for healthy adults is to have your hearing tested once or twice in your adult life until you are 60 years old.
Most of us undergo baseline hearing tests when we’re children but don’t repeat these as an adult. However, it can be valuable to visit an audiologist to have a hearing test even if you think there is nothing wrong with your hearing as this will provide a baseline you can use as you age.
If you work in a profession where you’re regularly exposed to loud noise, such as construction, you may want to get your hearing tested more frequently. A good rhythm for hearing tests is every three to five years.
Once you are over 60 years old, it’s suggested that you have a hearing test every year, especially if you discover that you need to be fitted with a hearing aid. Your audiologist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate frequency of testing though.
What happens during a hearing test?
We offer two kinds of hearing tests. First, a free 30-minute test where our audiologist can gain a general sense of the condition of your ears and identify any potential concerns.
Next, a 90-minute diagnostic hearing assessment where one of our specialists will test your hearing to determine how good it is and whether you would benefit from a hearing aid.
During this longer session, the audiologist will physically examine your ears, as well as run through a series of diagnostic tests for your hearing. These include an audiometry assessment and a word recognition test.
If the audiologist feels it is appropriate, they may run through some other tests with you such as an acceptable noise level test or a speech in noise test.
All of this allows them to build up an accurate picture of your hearing and how they can best support you.