Hearing tests are how doctors use to make sure that your ears work well. Older adults who don’t do anything to address their hearing loss are more likely to feel left out of social events that they’d normally enjoy, because they can’t hear what’s happening. Every now and then, your doctor may ask you to get a hearing test. Don’t assume that something is wrong. They might even stop seeing their friends or family as often because they’re embarrassed that they can’t hear well. Isolation makes people more likely to become depressed, unless they get help for their hearing loss.

With age, hearing loss becomes more likely. People of ages 45 to 64 have some degree of hearing loss, but that rises among people who are 65 or older. This is why your doctor will want to test your hearing every few years, rather than just once as an adult.

Some people may suspect that they have hearing loss. They have trouble hearing people talk to them when they’re in a crowded room, or they’ve been told they raise the volume on the TV way too high. But not all people know that they have a problem. You may not realize that you have hearing loss, because it’s often a gradual process. That’s why it’s important to have your ears checked when your doctor says you should, even if you think you’re fine.