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

When should you get a hearing exam? Here are some indications that suggest you should have your hearing checked.

Recently, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. My answer …” What?!” It was intended to be humorous. But it also wasn’t. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I began to ponder: Should I get a hearing test?

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 be concerned about discomfort. You just need to take a brief minute to schedule an appointment.

Given the significant effect that neglected hearing loss can have on your overall well-being, it’s important to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.

You should have your hearing checked if you notice these signs

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that may be a sign of hearing loss, booking a thorough hearing examination with a professional is likely a smart decision. Obviously, if things are difficult to hear, that’s a pretty solid indication of hearing loss.

• It’s difficult to hear in noisy locations: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy room and had trouble following the conversation because of all the background noise? It’s possible that this might be an indication of a loss of hearing.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: In some cases 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 made to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it might be because you aren’t hearing them.
• Persistent ringing sound: A continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is often a sign of damage to your hearing.

Here are a few other situations that suggest you should schedule a hearing assessment:

• Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
• Excess earwax has accumulated and can’t be removed by self-cleaning approaches
• You take specific medications that can damage your hearing
• Determining where sounds are coming from can be difficult
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Regular checkups

Even if you aren’t experiencing any obvious symptoms, it’s still important to schedule routine hearing tests.

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

Regular assessments can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. The earlier you seek 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 schedule a hearing test.