How to Recognize When It’s Time for a Hearing Test

When should you get a hearing exam? Here are a few indications that reveal you should get your hearing tested.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the loud volume of the TV. My answer …” What?!” It was funny because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The volume of the TV has been increasing. And I began to ponder: Should I get a hearing exam?

There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They are non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without concerns about your comfort level. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.

Thinking about how much untreated hearing loss can influence your health, it’s important to be more vigilant about it.

You should get your hearing assessed if you observe these signs

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that might be a sign of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing assessment with a professional is likely a smart decision. Clearly, if things are hard to hear, that’s a pretty solid indication of hearing loss.

• It’s difficult to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy room and had trouble following the conversation because of all the background noise? That may be an indication of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you need to worry about, it’s a loss of clarity.
• You’re always missing text messages: Your phone is made to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it could be because you aren’t hearing them.
• Relentless ringing sound: A continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is typically an indication of damage to your hearing.

Other indications you should make an appointment for a hearing test:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t get rid of on your own
• Medicines you’re using might be harming your hearing
• Distinguishing where sounds are coming from can be difficult
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Regular checkups

Even if you’re not observing any obvious symptoms, it’s still important to schedule routine hearing exams.

• Get a baseline test done at some point after you turn 21.
• For individuals with typical hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing assessment every three years.
• If you demonstrate symptoms of hearing loss, get it checked out immediately and then every year after that.

Routine screenings can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. The sooner you seek treatment, the better you’ll be able to preserve your hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.