When should you schedule a hearing assessment? Here are several signs you should get your hearing assessed.
Recently, my kids complained about how loud my television was. My answer …” What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But there’s nothing comical about untreated hearing loss. The volume of the TV has been increasing. And I began to question whether I should set up a hearing exam.
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 worries about your level of comfort. You just need to take a brief minute to book an appointment.
Given the considerable impact that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your overall well-being, it’s vital to be proactive about monitoring your hearing.
Signs you should get a hearing test
If you’ve detected any recent changes that may be a sign of hearing loss, booking a thorough hearing evaluation with a professional is likely a smart decision. If it’s hard to hear, it likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.
- It’s hard to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had difficulty keeping up with the conversation because of all the ambient noise? That could be an indication of hearing loss.
- People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The issue might not always be volume but rather clarity.
- You’re always overlooking text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it might be because you’re noy hearing them.
- Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus, is typically a sign of hearing damage.
Other signs 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 get rid of by yourself
- Medicines you’re using might be damaging your hearing
- It is hard to identify the source of sounds
- You have vertigo
Routine checkups
But what if you haven’t noticed any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how frequently you should have your hearing tested?
- Get a baseline test done sometime after you’re 21.
- If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
- If you display symptoms of hearing impairment, have it checked immediately and then every year thereafter.
Routine assessments can help you identify hearing loss before any red flags appear. Early professional attention can significantly improve your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. So you should lower the volume on your television and consider aranging a hearing test.
