When should you get a hearing test? Here are four clues that you need to have your hearing checked.
The other day, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. And guess what I said. I said, “What”? It was funny. Because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. I have needed to turn the TV up louder and louder as of late. And that got me thinking that perhaps it’s time for a hearing assessment.
It really doesn’t make much sense to avoid getting a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, you don’t need to worry about discomfort. It’s really just that you haven’t put aside time to do it.
Considering how much untreated hearing loss can affect your health, you really should be more vigilant about making sure your hearing impairment hasn’t worsened.
There are lots of good reasons why hearing assessments are important. It’s often challenging for you to identify the earliest signs of hearing loss without one, and even slight hearing impairment can affect your health.
So when should you get a hearing test? Here are a few ways to know if you need to come see us.
Signs you should have your hearing tested
If you’ve recently encountered any of the symptoms of hearing loss, it’s definitely a good idea to get a professional hearing screening. Clearly, it’s a powerful indication of hearing loss if you’re having a difficult time hearing.
But that’s not the only indicator, and there are some signs of hearing impairment that are far less apparent:
- Chronic ringing in your ears: A common sign of injured hearing is a ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus. Ringing in the ear may or may not point to hearing loss. But if the ringing won’t stop, you should absolutely call us for a hearing evaluation.
- You don’t always hear alerts for text messages: Mobile devices are manufactured to be loud enough for you to hear. So if you keep finding text messages or calls that you failed to hear, it’s most likely because you couldn’t hear them. And maybe, when you think about it, you’re missing out on more everyday sounds.
- You have a difficult time hearing when you’re in a loud environment: Have you ever had a difficult time following along with conversations because of ambient noise in a crowded room? That may actually be a sign of hearing loss. As your hearing progresses from healthy to impaired, one of the first warning signs is the loss of the ability to isolate distinct sounds.
- It sounds like everybody’s mumbling all the time: Often, it’s clarity not volume you have to worry about. One of the earlier signs of hearing loss is difficulty making out conversations. It might be time for a hearing test if you observe this happening more and more often.
This list isn’t thorough, here are a few more:
- You regularly use specific medications that are recognized to have an impact on your hearing.
- Your ears are not clearing earwax thoroughly
- you’re experiencing an ear infection and it won’t clear up
- You have vertigo
- You can’t readily identify where particular sounds are coming from
This checklist, obviously, is not complete. For instance, if your TV’s volume is maxed and you still can’t hear it. It would be a smart idea to follow up on any of these symptoms.
Regular checkups
But how should you cope with it when you’re not sure if you have any signs of hearing loss. So how frequently should you get your hearing screened? With all of the other guidelines for everything, this one seems like a no-brainer. Well, yes, there are suggestions.
- Sometime after you turn 21, you should get a hearing test. That way, you’ll have a standard of your mature hearing.
- Every three years or so will be a good schedule if your hearing seems healthy. But make sure you mark these appointments in your calendar or medical records because it’s easy to forget over these large periods of time.
- You’ll want to get assessed right away if you detect any signs of hearing loss and after that once every year.
It will be easier to identify any hearing loss before any red flags become obvious with regular screenings. The earlier you find treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing into the future. So it’s time to pick up the phone and make an appointment for a hearing assessment.