Your hearing health isn’t something that matters only when a problem appears. It’s a lifelong part of staying connected to the people, places and moments that matter most.
The right schedule for hearing testing changes with age. For many children, hearing screenings are built into school and medical care. As adults, especially after age 50, regular hearing evaluations become more important because hearing changes often happen gradually and can be easy to miss.
Hearing Testing Recommendations by Age
Childhood (Birth to 12 Years)
Most babies receive a hearing screening shortly after birth. According to the CDC, newborn hearing screening is recommended within the first month of life.1
As children grow, hearing screenings are often provided through pediatric visits and many school systems. Parents should also consider additional testing if a child has frequent ear infections, speech delays or difficulty following conversations.
Teens (13 to 17 Years)
Many middle and high schools still conduct hearing screenings, but practices vary by school district.
For teenagers with no known hearing concerns, periodic school or sports-related screenings are often sufficient. Extra testing may be worthwhile for teens with significant exposure to loud music, headphones, concerts or recreational shooting activities.
Young Adults (18 to 39 Years)
A hearing test during young adulthood may be worth considering if you have regular noise exposure, a family history of hearing loss, recurring ear problems or simply want a baseline record of your hearing.
Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that adults have their hearing checked at least once between the ages of 21 and 60 to establish a baseline for comparison if hearing changes occur later in life.2
Adults (40 to 59 Years)
Subtle hearing changes can begin during these years.
Many audiologists recommend establishing routine hearing evaluations every few years, particularly if you notice difficulty hearing in restaurants, group conversations or meetings. More frequent testing may be appropriate if you have:
- Regular exposure to loud workplace or recreational noise
- Diabetes, cardiovascular disease or certain medications that may affect hearing
- A family history of hearing loss
- Persistent tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Older Adults (60+ Years)
Age-related hearing loss becomes increasingly common with advancing age. For many adults over 60, annual or every-other-year hearing evaluations can help identify changes before they significantly affect daily life.
For patients throughout the Western North Carolina Foothills and the Hickory Metro/Catawba Valley region, this often means treating hearing care like eye exams or routine physicals. A regular check-in can go a long way.
What Usually Signals It’s Time for a Hearing Test?
You don’t have to wait for a major problem.
- Family members seem to mumble more often
- You frequently increase the television volume
- Conversations in restaurants have become tiring
- You miss parts of phone calls
- Ringing or buzzing sounds are becoming more noticeable
Why Do Hearing Changes Often Go Unnoticed?
Many people expect hearing loss to happen suddenly. In reality, it often develops gradually over many years. Your brain adapts along the way, which can make changes harder to recognize until they begin affecting daily communication.
Can Loud Noise Change How Often You Should Be Tested?
Yes. People who work around machinery, firearms, power tools or amplified music may benefit from more frequent evaluations than someone without ongoing noise exposure. Consistent monitoring helps document changes and guide hearing protection strategies.
Hearing Health Is a Lifelong Relationship
What this usually looks like in real life is simple. Your hearing needs at age 15 are different from your hearing needs at 65. The goal isn’t to chase a schedule. It’s to stay aware of changes and respond when they occur.
Having an audiologist who knows your hearing history can make that journey easier. At Carolina Ear Nose & Throat – Sinus and Allergy Center, hearing testing isn’t just about a single appointment. It’s about helping you maintain communication, confidence and connection throughout every stage of life.
Sources
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening for Hearing Loss.” https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss-children/screening/index.html
2 Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Baseline Hearing Test.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hearing-loss/baseline-hearing-test