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

When should you schedule a hearing test? Here are a few signs that reveal you should get your hearing tested.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my television was. My answer …” What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I began to wonder: Should I get 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 concerns about your level of comfort. You just need to take a brief moment to set up an appointment.

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

You should get your hearing assessed if you observe these signs

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that might be a sign of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing examination with a professional is probably a wise decision. Clearly, if things are hard to hear, that’s a rather strong indication of hearing loss.

• Ambient noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever strained to hear a conversation in a loud or crowded setting, where the surrounding racket makes it tough to catch every word? 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 worry about, it’s a loss of clarity.
• You regularly miss text messages: Your phone is designed to be attention-grabbing. If you frequently 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 an indication of hearing damage.

Here are a few other situations that indicate you should arrange a hearing evaluation:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t clear by yourself
• You take specific medications that can harm your hearing
• Identifying where sounds are originating from can be challenging
• You’re experiencing balance problems

Routine checkups

Even if you’re not experiencing any obvious symptoms, it’s still important to schedule regular hearing tests.

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you’re 21.
• If your hearing is normal, get hearing screenings every three years.
• If you demonstrate symptoms of hearing loss, get it checked out right away and then every year after that.

Regular screenings may detect hearing loss early, before any symptom are evident. Prompt expert attention can dramatically increase your chances of preserving healthy hearing over time. So you should decrease the volume on your television and think about aranging a hearing test.