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

At what point should you think about getting your hearing evaluated? Here are a few signs you should have your hearing assessed.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the high volume of the TV. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was meant to be humorous. But there’s nothing comical about untreated hearing loss. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I started to question whether I should schedule a hearing exam.

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

Given the considerable impact that neglected hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s critical to be proactive about monitoring your hearing.

You should have your hearing assessed if you observe these signs

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

• Background noise can be overpowering: Have you ever strained to focus on a conversation in a loud or crowded setting, where the surrounding racket makes it difficult to hear every word? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you have 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 always missing calls or text messages, it could be because you aren’t hearing them.
• Relentless ringing sound: A constant sensation of ringing in your ears, referred to as tinnitus, is often a sign of damage to your hearing.

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

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t get rid of on your own
• You take specific medications that can harm your hearing
• Determining where sounds are coming from can be challenging
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing assessments

Even if you’re not observing any noticeable symptoms, it’s still significant to schedule routine hearing tests.

• It is encouraged to have a baseline test completed after reaching the age of 21.
• If your hearing is healthy, undergo hearing assessments every three years.
• If you demonstrate signs of hearing loss, have it checked out right away and then annually after that.

Regular screenings can help you identify hearing loss before any red flags appear. The earlier 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 schedule a hearing test.