Dr. Ginny Veloz from Santa Clarita Hearing Center is recommending that the average person get a routine hearing test at age 50 to establish a baseline for the future.

“We go to the dentist twice a year, we do our eye exams each year,” Veloz said. “Ladies, we do our mammograms, we do our physicals. Why isn’t anybody doing hearing tests? I don’t understand why that’s not a standard.”

When Veloz asks her patients when their last hearing test was, the vast majority reply that it was when they were in school. 

Related: Santa Clarita Hearing Center Doctor Explains Hearing Loss Caused By Loud Sounds

While many people’s hearing will still be normal at age 50, Veloz noted that simply establishing a baseline can make a big difference in the future. 

“Everybody should have a baseline at 50,” she said. “We’ll be able to use that in the future to compare and say, ‘See how this graph looks today compared to five years ago? We’re starting to see (hearing loss).’ So it would be helpful.”

While Veloz encouraged primary care physicians to routinely recommend hearing tests for their patients starting at age 50, she also advised people to ask their physician to order the test, both for their own benefit and for the benefit of other patients. 

“Hopefully the more people that go to their primary care physicians and ask for that hearing test, the primary care physicians are going to learn for the rest of their patients, and you may really be helping somebody who doesn’t know to ask for a hearing test,” Veloz said. “The doctor says, ‘Hey, you’re 65 — let’s do a hearing test,’ and we find a hearing loss, and we could really help that person maybe that didn’t even know they needed help.”

As far as how often Veloz recommends a hearing test, she noted that it depends on the results. 

“If your results were normal, you could wait a few years,” she said. “Unless you’re noticing some difficulty or you’re struggling or somebody says something to you, … then you might want to consider going back sooner.” 

Ed. Note: This article is a Community Spotlight based on a recent radio interview with Santa Clarita Hearing Center.

Santa Clarita Hearing Center was founded by Dr. Ginny Veloz, Au.D., who has worked as an audiologist and hearing doctor for over 20 years. At Santa Clarita Hearing Center, customers can expect to find the most modern hearing aid technology currently available. Offering a complete range of diagnostic hearing services, Santa Clarita Hearing Center performs comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings and repair. Additionally, they fit custom ear plugs and protection to treat customers’ medical hearing loss or tinnitus symptoms. With a wide range of hearing aid options to meet every budget and lifestyle, Santa Clarita Hearing Center focuses on delivering effective results with compassion, education and integrity.

Santa Clarita Hearing Center

23861 McBean Pkwy #D14
Valencia, CA 91355

(661) 388-4135

Santa Clarita Hearing Center

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wQ8XbWoF-c

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