How Often Should You Get a Hearing Test? A Guide for Grande Prairie Residents

Hearing loss is often gradual, making it easy to miss the early signs. Many people delay testing until symptoms become severe, but regular hearing checkups are key to catching issues early and protecting your long-term hearing health. So, how often should you get a hearing test? The answer depends on your age, lifestyle, and overall health.

Why Hearing Tests are Important

Your ability to hear impacts more than just conversations. Hearing plays a vital role in mental sharpness, balance, communication, and even emotional well-being. Undiagnosed hearing loss can lead to social isolation, anxiety, early onset dementia and even cognitive decline. Because hearing needs evolve throughout life, it’s important to understand how often you should get tested based on your age and risk factors.

Recommended Hearing Test Frequency by Age

Hearing Tests for Children and Teens

• Newborns: Should be screened before leaving the hospital.
• Infants and young children: Hearing should be monitored during routine pediatric checkups.
• School-age kids: Hearing should be tested at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, or if they show signs of difficulty.

Hearing Tests for Adults Under 50

• Every 10 years if you don’t have noticeable hearing problems or risk factors.
• If you’re frequently exposed to loud noise (e.g., musicians, construction workers), annual testing is recommended, even if you’re young.

Hearing Tests for Adults Over 50

• Every 3 years if you have no symptoms.
• Annually if you notice hearing changes, already have some hearing loss, or have risk factors like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, or a family history of hearing problems.

Note: North Star Hearing provides hearing care services exclusively for adults aged 18 and over. Pediatric and children’s hearing services are not offered at our clinic.

Signs You May Need a Hearing Test Sooner

Regardless of age, you should consider booking a hearing test if you find yourself struggling to understand conversations, especially in noisy environments—frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or feeling like others are constantly mumbling. You may also notice that you’re turning up the volume on the TV or music louder than those around you prefer, or you might experience a persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears, known as tinnitus. These signs can indicate early stages of hearing loss, and getting tested promptly can help you stay ahead of potential issues.

What Happens During a Hearing Test at North Star Hearing in Grande Prairie?

A hearing test is a simple, non-invasive process that gives valuable insights into your hearing health. It typically begins with otoscopy, where your clinician examines your ear canal and eardrum using a lighted instrument to check for blockages or abnormalities. Next is immittance testing, which evaluates how well your eardrum and middle ear are functioning, often detecting fluid buildup or eustachian tube issues.

Pure-tone testing follows, measuring your ability to hear a range of tones through headphones. To further isolate the cause of any hearing loss, bone conduction testing may be used, bypassing the outer and middle ear by sending vibrations directly to the inner ear through a device placed behind your ear.

You’ll also undergo word recognition and speech testing to assess how well you understand spoken language at different volumes. Finally, speech in noise testing evaluates how well you can pick out words in noisy environments, an essential part of real-world hearing performance. Together, these tests provide a complete picture of your hearing ability and help guide any necessary treatment.

What Is The Difference Between a Hearing Test vs a Hearing Screening?

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, hearing screenings and comprehensive hearing tests serve very different purposes. A hearing screening is a quick, pass/fail assessment often conducted in schools or during routine physical exams. It’s designed to flag potential hearing issues but doesn’t provide detailed information.

In contrast, a hearing test is a thorough evaluation performed by an audiologist. It typically includes a variety of diagnostic tools such as audiograms, word recognition assessments, and middle ear function tests to identify the type and degree of hearing loss. If you’ve failed a screening or are experiencing symptoms, a full hearing test is the next essential step.

Why Choose North Star Hearing in Grande Prairie for Your Hearing Test?

When it comes to your hearing health, experience and personalized care matter. At North Star Hearing, you’re in the hands of highly qualified professionals who take the time to understand your unique hearing needs. Our team consists of Registered Audiologists and Hearing Aid Practitioners with extensive clinical experience and a genuine passion for helping people reconnect with the world around them.

North Star Hearing offers comprehensive diagnostic testing using state-of-the-art equipment, including pure-tone testing, bone conduction, word recognition, and speech-in-noise testing. Whether you’re experiencing hearing changes or just want a baseline checkup, we tailor each assessment to your lifestyle and hearing goals.

Ifit’s time for your next hearing checkup, schedule an appointment with North Star Hearing in Grande Prairie. Our experienced team offers comprehensive hearing assessments in a welcoming, supportive environment. Call us at (587) 299-3542 or fill out our online booking form to book a complimentary hearing test and get check by our expert specialists!