Wearing hearing aids requires ongoing professional oversight, as hearing health changes over time due to factors like age or medical conditions. The original hearing aid programming may no longer be optimal. Consistent monitoring through professional testing ensures the devices provide the correct level of amplification and clarity for your current hearing profile. Adjusting the settings based on current test results helps maintain maximum benefit.
Standard Recommended Testing Frequency
For individuals who wear hearing aids, the standard for routine monitoring is a full diagnostic hearing test, or audiogram, once every year. This annual frequency ensures that any subtle, gradual shifts in hearing ability are detected promptly. A comprehensive audiogram establishes a baseline of your hearing thresholds across various pitches and frequencies.
These results verify that the current hearing aid settings appropriately compensate for your hearing loss. If the test reveals a measurable change in your hearing thresholds, your audiologist can reprogram the hearing aids to match your current needs. This proactive approach prevents the decline in hearing quality that occurs when devices operate on an outdated prescription.
Signs That Warrant Immediate Testing
While an annual test is standard for stable hearing loss, certain symptoms require scheduling an appointment sooner. A sudden drop in hearing, even if minor, demands immediate attention from a hearing specialist. Similarly, rapid changes in hearing ability over a short period require immediate testing.
Other urgent signs include a noticeable increase in the severity or frequency of tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears). The onset of dizziness or vertigo should also prompt an immediate hearing evaluation, as the inner ear governs both hearing and balance. Any significant pain or discomfort in the ear, or a feeling that your current hearing aids are suddenly ineffective, warrants a prompt re-evaluation.
Diagnostic Test Versus Routine Checkup
It is important to understand the difference between a diagnostic hearing test and a routine hearing aid checkup. The diagnostic test is a formal assessment of your physical hearing thresholds, using specialized equipment in a sound-treated booth. This evaluation includes air conduction, bone conduction testing, and speech recognition assessments to determine the degree and type of hearing loss.
Routine checkups, which may be scheduled more frequently, focus primarily on the performance and maintenance of the hearing aid device itself. These appointments typically involve cleaning the devices, checking battery function, and performing real-ear measurements to ensure correct sound output. While programming adjustments may be made during a checkup, a new diagnostic test is necessary only when a change in your underlying hearing ability is suspected.