When should you get a hearing test? Here are four indicators that you need to get your hearing tested.
Recently, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. And guess what my reply was. I said, “What”? It was a joke. I thought it was funny. But it also wasn’t. The TV has been getting progressively louder. And that got me thinking that perhaps it’s time for a hearing test.
It really doesn’t make much sense to neglect getting a hearing assessment. Hearing assessments don’t cause you any discomfort, they’re non-invasive, and there’s no radiation. 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 diligent about making sure your hearing loss hasn’t gotten worse.
There are a lot of good reasons why hearing evaluations are essential. It’s usually challenging for you to observe the earliest indications of hearing loss without one, and even mild hearing impairment can affect your health.
So how can you recognize if you should schedule an appointment? Here are several ways to know if you need to consult with us.
Signs you should get a hearing test
It’s time to get a professional hearing test if you’ve been experiencing signs of hearing loss recently. Clearly, it’s a powerful indication of hearing loss if you’re having a hard time hearing.
But that’s not the only indicator, and there are some signs of hearing loss that are far less obvious:
- It’s difficult to hear in noisy places: Have you ever had a hard time following along with conversations because of background noise in a busy room? If this sounds familiar you could be experiencing hearing loss. As your hearing progresses from healthy to impaired, one of the first signs is the loss of the ability to isolate distinct sounds.
- It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes, it’s clearness not volume you need to be concerned about. One of the earlier symptoms of hearing loss is trouble making out conversations. If you detect this happening more often, you might want to schedule a hearing test.
- Ringing that won’t go away: A typical sign of injured hearing is a ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus. If you’re dealing with some ringing that won’t stop, it may or may not be a symptom of hearing loss. But if the ringing won’t stop, you should definitely call us for a hearing evaluation.
- You’re always missing text messages: Mobile devices are made to be loud enough for you to hear. So if you’re continuously missing calls or text messages, it may be because you can’t hear them. And if you’re unable to hear your mobile device, what else are you missing?
Here are a few other circumstances that show you should schedule a hearing screening:
- You take specific medications that can damage your hearing
- You have an accumulation of ear wax you’re body can’t clear by itself
- You’re experiencing episodes of vertigo
- Your ear hasn’t cleared after an ear infection
- You can’t easily identify where particular sounds are originating
This list is by no means exhaustive. There are other instances of warning signs (if, for instance, the volume on your TV is maxed out and you still want it to go just a little louder). It would be a smart idea to follow up on any of these symptoms.
Regular checkups
But how should you deal with it when you’re not sure if you have any signs of hearing loss. Is there a guideline for how often you should schedule a hearing exam? With all of the other guidelines for everything, this one seems like a no-brainer. Well, yes, there are recommendations.
- Get a primary assessment done sometime after you’re 21. Then your mature hearing will have a baseline.
- Every three years or so will be a practical schedule if your hearing appears normal. That can be a long time to pay attention to, so make certain they’re marked in your medical records somewhere.
- If you show signs of hearing loss, you will want to get it checked right away, and then annually after that.
Regular examinations can help you identify hearing loss before any warning signs surface. You will have a better chance of protecting your hearing over time the sooner you get examined. Which means, you should probably turn your TV down and make an appointment for a hearing assessment.
