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

At what point should you consider getting your hearing evaluated? Here are some signs that suggest you should have your hearing tested.

Recently, my children expressed discontent with the high volume of the TV. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “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’re not invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to worry about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to book an appointment.

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

Signs you should get a hearing exam

If you’ve recently noticed any symptoms of hearing loss, it’s most likely a good idea to get a professional hearing screening. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s significant hearing impairment.

• It’s hard to hear in noisy locations: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had trouble keeping up with the conversation because of all the ambient noise? It’s possible that this could be an indication of impaired hearing.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of definition.
• You’re always overlooking text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re constantly missing calls or text messages, it could be because you’re noy hearing them.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is typically an indication of hearing damage.

Here are several other situations that suggest you should schedule a hearing screening:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t remove on your own
• Medications you’re taking may be harming your hearing
• It is hard to identify the source of sounds
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing assessments

But what if you haven’t recognized any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how often you should have your hearing tested?

• It is encouraged to have a baseline test completed after reaching the age of 21.
• For people with typical hearing, it’s recommended to have a hearing exam every three years.
• If you display signs of hearing impairment, have it checked immediately and then annually thereafter.

Regular screenings may identify hearing loss early, before any symptom are obvious. The earlier 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.