At what point should you think about having your hearing evaluated? Here are several signs you should have your hearing assessed.
Recently, my children expressed discontent with the high 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 volume of the TV has been escalating. And I began to wonder: Should I get a hearing test?
There aren’t many good reasons not to set up a hearing test. They’re not invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to be concerned about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to set up an appointment.
Given the considerable effect that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s important to be proactive about monitoring your hearing.
Signs you should get a hearing exam
If you’ve noticed any recent changes that may be a sign of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing examination with a professional is probably a smart decision. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.
- Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to focus on a conversation in a noisy or crowded setting, where the surrounding racket makes it hard to catch every word? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
- 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 missing text messages: Your phone is made to be loud. So, if you’re constantly missing calls or text messages, it might be because you aren’t hearing them.
- Relentless ringing sound: A continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, referred to as tinnitus, is often an indication of damage to your hearing.
Here are a few other situations that indicate you should arrange a hearing assessment:
- Your ear is still clogged following an infection
- You have a buildup of earwax you can’t get rid of by yourself
- Medications you’re using may be damaging your hearing
- It is difficult to identify the source of sounds
- You have vertigo
Routine hearing evaluations
But what if you haven’t noticed any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a criteria for how often you should have your hearing tested?
- It is recommended to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
- For individuals with normal hearing, it’s recommended to have a hearing assessment every three years.
- If you display symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked immediately and then yearly afterwards.
Routine screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. The earlier you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to preserve your hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.