At what point should you consider having your hearing evaluated? Here are a few indications that suggest you should get your hearing checked.
Recently, my children expressed discontent with the high 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 TV has been getting louder and louder. And I started to wonder: Should I get a hearing test?
There aren’t many reasons not to schedule a hearing test. They are non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without worries about your comfort level. You just need to take a brief minute to schedule an appointment.
Thinking about how much neglected hearing loss can affect your health, it’s important to be more vigilant about it.
Signs you should get a hearing exam
If you’ve recently noticed any symptoms of hearing loss, it’s probably a good plan to get a professional hearing assessment. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.
- Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a loud or crowded space, where the surrounding din makes it hard to catch every word? It’s possible that this could 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 have to worry about, it’s a loss of clarity.
- 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.
- Relentless ringing sound: A constant sensation of ringing in your ears, referred to as tinnitus, is often an indication of damage to your hearing.
Other indications you should make an appointment for a hearing test:
- Your ear is still clogged following an infection
- You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t clear by yourself
- You take certain medications that can harm your hearing
- Determining where sounds are originating from can be challenging
- You’re experiencing balance problems
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 get your hearing checked?
- It is encouraged to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
- If your hearing is healthy, get hearing screenings every three years.
- If you demonstrate symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked immediately and then annually after that.
Regular screenings can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. Prompt professional 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.