Hearing tests, called personal hearing profiles, are an easy way of detecting hearing loss. A hearing test checks your ability to recognize tones and everyday words at different volume levels. The resulting data produces a unique hearing pattern that is recorded on a chart called an audiogram.

A certified hearing healthcare professional called an audiologist tests your hearing and makes recommendations based on your results. To have a valid audiogram, a hearing test must be performed in a soundproof booth by a certified audiologist. These booths have perfect acoustics and are calibrated every year.

The chart to the right, called an "audiogram," shows a sample outcome. The O's represent the right ear, and the X's represent the left. The speech sounds in the shaded area are the sounds not heard and understood in the right ear.

Everyone needs a baseline audiogram. It will help an audiologist identify any future hearing loss. Everyone should get their hearing tested every 2 to 3 years. People who work in noisy environments or are over 50 years of age should have their hearing tested once a year. Anyone who has a sudden change in hearing or develops a ringing in their ears should have his or her hearing checked immediately.

Take care of your ears like you take care of your eyes and teeth. Get a baseline audiogram and then have your hearing checked regularly.