Should I Get a Hearing Exam?

At what point should you think about having your hearing evaluated? Here are some signs that suggest you should have your hearing evaluated.

Recently, my kids complained about how loud my television was. My answer …” What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I began to ponder: Should I get a hearing exam?

There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to be concerned about discomfort. You just need to take a brief minute to book an appointment.

Given the significant impact that neglected hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s essential to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.

You should get your hearing tested if you observe these signs

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that might be a sign of hearing loss, booking a comprehensive hearing evaluation with a professional is likely a wise decision. If it’s difficult to hear, it likely means there’s substantial hearing impairment.

• It’s hard to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy room and had difficulty following the conversation because of all the ambient noise? That could be an indication of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The problem may not always be volume but rather definition.
• You often overlook text messages: Your phone is intended 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.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is typically an indication of hearing damage.

Other indications you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear is still clogged following an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t remove on your own
• Medicines you’re taking might be harming your hearing
• Distinguishing where sounds are originating from can be challenging
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing evaluations

But what if you haven’t recognized any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a criteria for how frequently you should have your hearing tested?

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

Regular screenings may identify hearing loss early, before any warning signs are obvious. The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to preserve your hearing in the long run. So you should lower the volume on your television and consider setting up a hearing test.