Do I Need To Get A Hearing Test Every Year?
Hearing is something most of us don’t think about until we start to notice changes. The tricky thing about hearing loss is that it usually develops gradually. You may start to notice it’s affecting your work, conversations, and daily life. This is why many people might wonder if they need to get their hearing tested every year.
The short answer: it depends on a few factors, like you health, age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Those with lower risk of hearing loss would benefit from a hearing test every few years to make sure there are no changes, while those at higher risk would benefit from annual check-ups. Just like an eye exam or dentist visits, routine hearing tests play a big role in maintaining your long-term health and quality of life.
Key Takeaways
- Routine hearing tests are beneficial because they catch concerns early.
- Hearing loss often progresses slowly and can go unnoticed for years without testing.
- Health, age, and lifestyle matters when considering how often you should be tested.
- Adults over 50 should consider yearly tests, while younger adults or children may only need them if they are at risk or have shown signs of hearing loss at a previous assessment.
- Certain health factors are linked to hearing los Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking may damage your hearing.
- Loud noise exposure increases your risk of hearing loss. Those who work in loud noise, musicians, and firearm users should test annually.
- Hearing health is tied to your overall well-being, and early detection and treatment supports better communication, relationships, mental health, and brain health.
How Often Should a Hearing Test Be Done
If you have no hearing concerns and are in good health, a hearing test every 3-5 years is usually enough. You should consider an annual hearing test if one of the following applies to you:
- Over the age of 50
- Health-related factors
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Cancer treatment (e. chemotherapy, radiation to the head/neck)
- Certain medications (e. some antibiotics, diuretics)
- Nicotine use (smoking)
- Family history of genetic hearing loss (not related to aging)
- Loud noise exposure
- Workplace noise (e.g. construction, factory, machinery)
- Loud music (e.g. musicians, concert goers)
- Firearms use (e.g. armed forces, hunting)
Are Hearing Tests Free in Ontario For Seniors
Once you are 50 years old, it is recommended you have a hearing test every year or two, even if you think your hearing is fine. This is because age-related hearing loss, also called presbycusis, is one of the most common conditions in older adults.
In Ontario, OHIP does not cover the cost of hearing tests, however, many clinics offer them at no charge as a part of their commitment to hearing health. At Hearing Solutions, we offer free hearing tests for anyone 50 and over. If you’ve already tested with us before, your follow up tests are always complimentary. This makes it easier to stay on top of your hearing health without worrying about the cost.
Catching any concerns and treating it early is important in maintaining brain health, balance, safety, and quality of life.
Signs You Shouldn’t Wait
Even if your annual test isn’t due yet, don’t ignore any early symptoms. Book a hearing test sooner if you:
- Frequently ask people to repeat themselves, miss parts of conversations, or “nod and smile”.
- Have difficulty following conversations or participating in group settings or noisier environments.
- Notice ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears (tinnitus).
For more information on tinnitus, read our full guide here.
Hearing tends to decline slowly and gradually, and people around us tend to notice these changes first. If a loved one has been telling you for a few years to check your hearing, don’t wait any longer – book an appointment today.
Benefits of Annual Hearing Tests
Annual hearing tests give you a clear picture of your hearing health and catch any concerns. Some benefits include:
- Early Detection – Annual tests can pick up subtle changes in your hearing that you may not notice on your own. In very rare cases, hearing tests have uncovered progressive health problems and even tumours.
- Better Brain Health – Research shows that untreated hearing loss is linked to memory problems and a higher risk of dementia. Regular testing ensures you get the support you need.
- Better Balance and Safety – People with untreated hearing loss are less aware of their surroundings, with at least 3 times higher risk of having a fall.
- Simpler Treatment Options – The earlier hearing loss is found, the easier it is to preserve your hearing and relearn how to hear the world.
- Improved Quality of Life – Clear hearing makes it easier to participate in conversations, stay socially active, and enjoy your independence.
Just like eye exams or dental visits, annual hearing tests are part of routine healthcare. As with all health conditions, it’s easier to treat any problems sooner than wait until it gets really bad. Even if you feel your hearing is good enough, testing every year means you won’t miss early signs of change.
What Is Included in a Routine Hearing Test
A routine hearing test is more than just pressing a button when you hear a beep. It’s a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health that typically includes:
- A Health and Lifestyle Discussion – Your hearing professional takes time to learn about your medical health history, daily listening needs, noise exposure, and any ear or hearing issues you may be experiencing.
- Visual Ear Check
- Otoscopy: Your clinician looks inside your ears to check the overall health of your ear canal and eardrum, and signs of ear wax buildup or infection.
- Tympanometry: A quick, automatic test to check your eardrum health.
- Hearing Test
- Pure Tone Test: You respond to tones and speech at different volumes and pitches through headphones. This test tells us know well you access sounds and if you have any trouble hearing.
- Speech Recognition Tests: You repeat words and sentences. This tells us how well you process or understand speech.
- Your clinician may perform additional tests if you have concerns about hearing in background noise or have bothersome tinnitus.
- Results Review – A clear explanation of your results and what they mean in your daily life. If needed, results are sent to your family doctor.
- Recommendation and Next Steps –
- Your clinician provides guidance, which may include strategies to manage your ear or hearing concerns and a treatment plan, such as exploring hearing aids.
How Long Does a Typical Hearing Test Take
The hearing test itself is quick and stress-free, usually lasting about 20 minutes. We allot up to 75 minutes for a comprehensive appointment so we can identify your needs and help you understand your results. The exact time ranges from person to person depending on their needs. Normally, the appointment is set up as follows:
- 5 – 15 Minutes for intake questions and visual ear check.
- 15 – 20 Minutes for the hearing test itself.
- 5 – 10 Minutes for reviewing results and recommendations.
- 10 – 30 Minutes for discussing options in a treatment plan.
By the end of the appointment, you’ll have a complete picture of your hearing condition, along with a personalized plan for moving forward.
Next Steps
Even if you feel like your hearing is “good enough”, you can still schedule a test to establish a baseline, or detect gradual changes that you may not have noticed right away. Scheduling regular hearing tests can make a big difference in protecting your independence, communication, and overall well-being.
So, do you need a hearing test every year? If you’re over 50, have health concerns, or work in noisy environments, the short answer is yes. If you’re younger with no risk factors, every few years may be fine. The best next step is to book a hearing test and stay ahead of any potential issues before they affect your daily life.
References:
Hearing Solutions (15, July 2024) Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss: Unlocking the Connection. https://www.hearingsolutions.ca/cognitive-decline-and-hearing-loss-unlocking-the-connection/
Hearing Solutions (n.d.) What to Expect at a Hearing Test. https://www.hearingsolutions.ca/hearing-test/what-to-expect-at-your-hearing-test/
Hearing Solutions (n.d.) Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss. https://www.hearingsolutions.ca/hearing-loss/hearing-health/effects-of-untreated-hearing-loss/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (n.d.) Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis). https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (n.d.) Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
Discover Hearing Centre (31, January 2025) Should I Get a Yearly Hearing Test? https://www.discoverhearingcentre.com/yearly-hearing-test-benefits/
Hearing Group (05, October 2021) Why You Need an Annual Hearing Test. https://www.hearinggroup.com/blog/annual-hearing-test/
