How to Know When It’s Time for a Hearing Test

At what point should you consider getting your hearing assessed? Here are some signs you should get your hearing checked.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the loud volume of the TV. Do you want to know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. 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’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to be concerned about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to book an appointment.

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

You should have your hearing tested if you detect these signs

If you’ve recently experienced any signs of hearing loss, it’s most likely a good plan to get a professional hearing assessment. If it’s difficult to hear, it likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.

• Ambient noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever strained to focus on a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, where the surrounding racket makes it tough to catch every word? It’s possible that this could be an indication of a loss of hearing.
• People always seem to be talking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but rather clarity.
• You’re always missing text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it might be because you’re noy hearing them.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus, is typically a sign of hearing damage.

Other indications you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t get rid of on your own
• You take specific medications that can harm your hearing
• Identifying where sounds are originating from can be difficult
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing assessments

But what if you haven’t noticed any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how frequently you should have your hearing checked?

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
• For individuals with typical hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing test every three years.
• If you display signs of hearing loss, have it checked right away and then every year thereafter.

Regular screenings might identify hearing loss early, before any warning signs are obvious. Early professional attention can considerably increase your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and set up a hearing test.