Should I Get a Hearing Exam?

At what point should you think about having your hearing assessed? Here are several signs you should have your hearing checked.

Recently, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was intended to be funny. But there’s nothing comical about untreated hearing loss. The volume of the TV has been escalating. And I began to question whether I should schedule a hearing test.

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 be concerned about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to schedule an appointment.

Thinking about how much neglected hearing loss can influence your health, it’s important to be more cautious about it.

Signs you should get a hearing test

If you’ve detected any recent changes that might be indicative of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing examination with a professional is likely a smart decision. Obviously, if things are difficult to hear, that’s a pretty solid indication of hearing loss.

• Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever strained to focus on a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, where the surrounding din makes it difficult to catch every word? That might be a sign of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but instead 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 continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, referred to as tinnitus, is often a sign of damage to your hearing.

Other signs you should make an appointment for a hearing test:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• Surplus earwax has accumulated and can’t be removed by self-cleaning methods
• Medicines you’re using may be harming your hearing
• It is difficult to pinpoint the source of sounds
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Regular checkups

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

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

Routine assessments can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. Early professional attention can considerably increase your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.