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

At what point should you think about having your hearing assessed? Here are a few indications that reveal you should have your hearing evaluated.

Recently, my children expressed discontent with the loud volume of the TV. Do you want to know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was funny because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I started to think about whether I should schedule a hearing test.

There aren’t many reasons not to arrange 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 substantial impact that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s crucial to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.

Signs you should get a hearing test

If you’ve recently experienced any signs of hearing loss, it’s most likely a good plan to get a professional hearing assessment. If it’s hard to hear, it likely means there’s substantial hearing impairment.

• Ambient noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to focus on a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, where the surrounding din makes it tough to catch every word? It’s possible that this could be an indication of a loss of hearing.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes it’s not loss of volume you need to be concerned about, it’s a loss of 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 might be because you’re noy 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 signs you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t remove by yourself
• You take certain medications that can harm your hearing
• It is hard to identify the source of sounds
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Routine checkups

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

• It is recommended to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
• If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
• If you display signs of hearing loss, have it evaluated immediately and then yearly afterwards.

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