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

At what point should you think about getting your hearing assessed? Here are some indications you need to have your hearing checked.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But there’s nothing funny about untreated hearing loss. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I began to wonder: Should I get a hearing test?

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 comfort level. You just need to take a brief moment to set up an appointment.

Given the considerable impact that neglected hearing loss can have on your overall well-being, it’s vital to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.

You should have your hearing tested if you notice these signs

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that may be a sign of hearing loss, booking a thorough hearing assessment with a professional is likely a smart decision. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s significant hearing impairment.

• It’s difficult to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had trouble keeping up with the conversation because of all the ambient noise? It’s possible that this might be an indication of a loss of hearing.
• It sounds like everybody’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of definition.
• You frequently miss text messages: Your phone is designed to be attention-grabbing. If you regularly fail to notice incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
• Relentless ringing sound: A constant sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is frequently a sign of damage to your hearing.

Other indications you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t clear on your own
• Medicines you’re taking might be harming your hearing
• Determining where sounds are originating from can be difficult
• You have vertigo

Regular checkups

Even if you aren’t experiencing any noticeable symptoms, it’s still important to schedule regular hearing exams.

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
• For individuals with normal hearing, it’s recommended to have a hearing exam every three years.
• If you display symptoms of hearing loss, have it assessed right away and then every year thereafter.

Regular assessments can help you detect hearing loss before any red flags appear. The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and set up a hearing test.