How to Know When It’s Time for a Hearing Exam

At what point should you think about having your hearing evaluated? Here are some signs that reveal you should get your hearing evaluated.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. My answer …” What?!” It was funny because it was a joke. But there’s nothing comical about untreated hearing loss. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I began to question whether I should set up a hearing test.

There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to worry about discomfort. Just take a quick moment to book an appointment.

Given the considerable effect that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your overall well-being, it’s crucial to be proactive about monitoring your hearing.

You should have your hearing checked if you notice these signs

If you’ve recently experienced any signs of hearing loss, it’s most likely a good idea to get a professional hearing assessment. Clearly, if things are hard to hear, that’s a rather solid indication of hearing loss.

• Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever strained to focus on a conversation in a loud or crowded setting, where the surrounding racket makes it tough to hear every word? That could be a sign of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but instead clarity.
• You’re always overlooking text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re always 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 known as tinnitus, is typically a sign of hearing damage.

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

• Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t remove by yourself
• Medicines you’re using might be harming your hearing
• Determining where sounds are originating from can be difficult
• You have vertigo

Regular checkups

But what if you haven’t noticed any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how often you should get your hearing tested?

• It is encouraged to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
• For people with normal hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing evaluation every three years.
• If you show symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked out immediately and then yearly after that.

Routine screenings may detect hearing loss early, before any symptom are noticeable. 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 set up a hearing test.