Should I Get a Hearing Test?

When should you get a hearing test? Here are a few signs that suggest you should get your hearing evaluated.

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

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

Considering how much untreated hearing loss can influence your health, it’s important to be more cautious about it.

You should get your hearing checked if you observe 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. Obviously, if things are hard to hear, that’s a pretty solid indication of hearing loss.

• Ambient noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a loud or crowded setting, where the surrounding din makes it hard to catch every word? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The problem might not always be volume but instead clarity.
• You frequently overlook text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. If you regularly fail to notice incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is often a sign of hearing damage.

Here are several other scenarios that suggest you should arrange a hearing evaluation:

• Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t remove by yourself
• Medicines you’re taking may be harming your hearing
• It is difficult to pinpoint the source of sounds
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing evaluations

But what if you haven’t noticed any of these signs of hearing loss? Is there a criteria 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 symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked out right away and then annually after that.

Routine screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. Early expert attention can significantly improve your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. So you should lower the volume on your television and consider setting up a hearing evaluation.