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

When should you get a hearing evaluation? Here are some signs that suggest you should have your hearing checked.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my television was. Do you want to know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was meant to be funny. But it also wasn’t. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I started to ponder: Should I get a hearing exam?

There aren’t many good reasons not to arrange a hearing test. They’re non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without concerns about your level of comfort. Just take a quick moment to book an appointment.

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

You should get your hearing tested if you observe these signs

If you’ve recently noticed any symptoms of hearing loss, it’s probably a good idea to get a professional hearing screening. Obviously, if things are difficult to hear, that’s a rather strong indication of hearing loss.

• It’s hard 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 ambient noise? It’s possible that this could be an indication of impaired hearing.
• It sounds like everybody’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you need to be concerned about, it’s a loss of definition.
• You’re always overlooking text messages: Your phone is made to be loud. So, if you’re constantly missing calls or text messages, it could be because you’re noy hearing them.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is typically an indication of hearing damage.

Here are some other scenarios that suggest you should arrange a hearing assessment:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• Excess earwax has amassed and can not be eliminated by self-cleaning methods
• You take specific medications that can damage your hearing
• It is difficult to identify the source of sounds
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Regular checkups

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

• Get a baseline test done at some point after you’re 21.
• For individuals with normal hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing evaluation every three years.
• If you display signs of hearing loss, have it evaluated right away and then yearly thereafter.

Routine screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any red flags appear. Early professional attention can considerably improve your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.