When is it time to get a hearing exam? Here are four indicators that you should get your hearing assessed.
Recently, my kids complained about how loud my television was. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What”? It was a joke. I thought it was amusing. But, in some ways, it was anything but funny. I have needed to turn the TV up louder and louder lately. And I began to ask myself: should I get a hearing test?
It really doesn’t make much sense to neglect getting a hearing assessment. Hearing tests don’t cause you any discomfort, they’re non-invasive, and there isn’t any radiation. It’s really just that you haven’t put aside time to do it.
Considering how much untreated hearing loss can impact your health, you really should be more diligent about making sure your hearing loss hasn’t worsened.
There are lots of good reasons why hearing evaluations are essential. Even mild hearing loss can have an affect on your health and it’s virtually impossible to recognize early hearing loss without a hearing test.
So when should you have a hearing test? Here are several ways to know if you need to come see us.
Signs you should have your hearing tested
If you’ve recently observed any of the symptoms of hearing loss, it’s probably a good plan to get a professional hearing exam. Clearly, it’s a powerful indication of hearing loss if you’re having a difficult time hearing.
But some of the other indications of hearing loss are more subtle:
- You have a tough time hearing when you’re in a noisy setting: Have you ever had a difficult time following along with conversations because of ambient noise in a crowded room? That could actually be a sign of hearing loss. Being able to isolate sounds is one sign of a healthy ear; this ability tends to decline as hearing loss worsens.
- It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes, it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of definition. Difficulty making out conversations is one of the first signs that something is going wrong with your hearing. If you experience this happening more often, you might want to schedule a hearing test.
- Ringing that won’t subside: A typical sign of damaged hearing is a ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus. If you’re dealing with some ringing that won’t go away, it might or might not be a sign of hearing loss. But it’s certainly an indication that you should get a hearing assessment.
- You always miss alerts for text messages: Your phone (or mobile device, as they’re called these days) is made to be loud. So if you’re frequently missing calls or text messages, it might be because you aren’t hearing them. And if you’re unable to hear your mobile device, what else are you missing?
This list isn’t exhaustive, here are a few more:
- Your ear is still plugged after an ear infection
- You have an accumulation of ear wax you’re body can’t clear on your own
- It’s challenging to pinpoint the source of sounds
- You regularly use certain medications that are known to have an impact on your hearing.
- You’re experiencing episodes of vertigo
This checklist, obviously, isn’t extensive. There are other instances of warning signs (if, for example, the volume on your TV is maxed out and you still want it to go just a little louder). It would be a good plan to look into any of these signs.
Routine examinations
But how should you cope with it when you’re not certain if you have any signs of hearing loss. Is there a guideline for how often you should go get your hearing checked? There’s a guideline for everything else, right, so there’s got to be a guideline for this. Well, yes, there are suggestions.
- Get a baseline exam done sometime after you’re 21. Then your mature hearing will have a baseline.
- Every three years or so will be a good schedule if your hearing appears healthy. But make sure you note these appointments in your calendar or medical records because it’s easy to forget over these huge periods of time.
- You’ll want to get tested immediately if you notice any signs of hearing loss and after that once every year.
Routine examinations can help you discover hearing loss before any red flags appear. The earlier you obtain treatment, the better you’ll be able to protect your hearing into the future. So it’s time to give us a call and make an appointment for a hearing test.
