When should you get a hearing test? Here are several indications you should get your hearing checked.
Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the high volume of the TV. My answer …” What?!” It was intended to be funny. But there’s nothing comical about neglected hearing loss. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I started to think about whether I should set up a hearing exam.
There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They are non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without worries about your comfort level. You just need to take a brief minute to set up an appointment.
Given the substantial effect that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s crucial to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.
You should get your hearing checked if you notice these signs
If you’ve detected any recent changes that may be indicative of hearing loss, booking a thorough hearing examination with a professional is probably a smart decision. Clearly, if things are hard to hear, that’s a fairly solid indication of hearing loss.
- It’s hard to hear in noisy venues: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy room and had trouble following the conversation because of all the background noise? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
- People always seem to be talking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but rather clarity.
- You often overlook text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. If you routinely fail to observe 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 a few other situations that indicate you should arrange a hearing evaluation:
- Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
- You have a buildup of earwax you can’t remove on your own
- You take certain medications that can harm your hearing
- It is difficult to pinpoint the source of sounds
- You have vertigo
Routine checkups
But what if you haven’t recognized any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how often you should get your hearing tested?
- It is encouraged to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
- For people with normal hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing assessment every three years.
- If you show signs of hearing loss, get it checked out right away and then annually after that.
Regular screenings can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing in the long run. This means you should probably turn your TV down and set up a hearing test.
