If you have a strong indication that your hearing is deteriorating you might think it's just a case of going to an audiologist to requesting an earpiece, but it isn't quite the same as buying a pair of reading glasses from the local convenience store. If you have trouble hearing, you will require a hearing test – here's why. 

To Establish a Baseline 

Even if you don't have hearing loss you might still want to have a hearing test, especially if you are 50 or older. People of this age may not have had a hearing test since they were a student so their hearing might have deteriorated. Even if it hasn't, this is an excellent age to take a baseline reading. 

Your audiologist can take a reading at this age and use it for comparison as you get older. Depending on genetic and environmental factors your hearing may well deteriorate post 50, your audiologist will have a useful measure of it if you have regular tests carried out. 

It Catches Hearing Loss Early 

You might think that hearing loss follows an inevitable downward trend, for instance, when your hearing deteriorates you need a hearing device, but there is no way to bring it back or improve the natural condition of your hearing. To an extent this is true, but you can prolong the condition of your hearing with early testing. 

One in three people over the age of 65 experience hearing loss so if you are in this age category, there is a good chance you will require a hearing device. Having your hearing tested early means a hearing device can be fitted early and your brain can adapt to the sound levels. This helps to prolong the effectiveness of your natural hearing. 

For Health Reasons 

If you have certain health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions or tinnitus, it could be an indication of hearing loss. For this reason, your medical professional might send you for a hearing test with an audiologist; even if you think your medical issue isn't related to your hearing, a hearing test may be necessary. 

In your hearing test, your audiologist will establish a baseline reading for your hearing using a pure-tone test. They might also conduct more technical tests such as a bone conduction test, a tympanometry test or an ABR test. This will help your medical professional decide on the best response to your condition. 

You Have Trouble Hearing 

People have trouble hearing for all kinds of reasons, it could be related to background noise, a short attention span or wax buildup in the ear canal. But it could also point to a deterioration in your hearing that could ultimately lead to hearing loss. At this point, it isn't necessary to have a hearing test, but it's a good idea. 

Having a hearing test semi-regularly between the ages of 25-75 helps to identify any hearing trouble you might have, but it also eliminates other possibilities and helps clarify the quality of your hearing. If you don't have any hearing difficulties getting a test can help establish a baseline for the future otherwise it can help prolong your hearing capacity.