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

At what point should you think about having your hearing assessed? Here are a few signs you need to have your hearing assessed.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my television was. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was intended to be funny. But there’s nothing comical about neglected hearing loss. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I began to think about whether I should schedule a hearing test.

There aren’t many good reasons not to arrange a hearing exam. They’re not invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to worry about discomfort. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.

Considering how much untreated hearing loss can affect your health, it’s important to be more cautious 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 assessment. If it’s difficult to hear, it most likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.

• It’s hard to hear in noisy venues: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had difficulty keeping up with the conversation because of all the ambient noise? That may be a sign of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be talking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but instead definition.
• You’re always missing text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it might be because you aren’t hearing them.
• Persistent ringing sound: A continuous 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 is still blocked following an infection
• Excess earwax has accumulated and can not be eliminated by self-cleaning approaches
• Medications you’re using might be harming your hearing
• Determining where sounds are originating from can be difficult
• You’re experiencing balance problems

Regular checkups

But what if you haven’t recognized any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how frequently you should have your hearing tested?

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
• If your hearing is healthy, get hearing assessments every three years.
• If you show signs of hearing loss, have it checked right away and then every year after that.

Regular screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. The sooner you seek treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing over time. So you should decrease the volume on your television and consider aranging a hearing evaluation.