Should I Get a Hearing Test?

When should you get a hearing evaluation? Here are several indications you need to have your hearing assessed.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. 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 volume of the TV has been increasing. And I started to think about whether I should schedule a hearing test.

There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They are non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without concerns about your comfort level. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.

Given the considerable effect that unaddressed 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 test

If you’ve detected any recent changes that might be a sign of hearing loss, booking a thorough hearing assessment with a professional is likely a wise decision. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s significant hearing impairment.

• It’s difficult to hear in noisy locations: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had trouble following the conversation because of all the background noise? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everybody’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of clarity.
• You frequently overlook text messages: Your phone is designed to be attention-grabbing. If you routinely fail to observe incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
• Persistent ringing sound: A continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is often a sign of damage to your hearing.

Here are several other scenarios that suggest you should schedule a hearing assessment:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t clear on your own
• Medicines you’re using may be harming your hearing
• It is difficult to determine the source of sounds
• You have vertigo

Regular checkups

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

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
• If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
• If you display symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked immediately and then yearly thereafter.

Routine screenings might identify hearing loss early, before any symptom are noticeable. Prompt expert attention can considerably improve your chances of preserving healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and set up a hearing test.