When Should I Get my Hearing Checked?
When should you have your hearing tested? You need a hearing test if you have any of these four signs.
Recently, my kids complained about how loud my television was. You know what my response was? I said, “What”? It was funny. Because it was a joke. But, in reality, it was anything but funny. The TV has been getting progressively louder. And that got me thinking that maybe it’s time for a hearing assessment.
It really doesn’t make much sense to neglect getting a hearing assessment. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, you don’t need to worry about discomfort. You’ve most likely just been putting it off.
Considering how much neglected hearing loss can impact your health, you really should be more vigilant about making sure your hearing impairment hasn’t gotten worse.
There are lots of good reasons why hearing assessments are important. Even slight hearing loss can have an impact on your health and it’s virtually impossible to detect early hearing loss without a hearing assessment.
So when should you get a hearing test? Here are some signs that it’s time.
You should get your hearing tested if you observe these signs
If you’ve recently experienced any of the signs of hearing loss, it’s probably a smart idea to get a professional hearing exam. Clearly, it’s a strong indication of hearing loss if you’re having a hard time hearing.
But that’s not the only symptom, and there are some signs of hearing impairment that are much less apparent:
- You always miss alerts for text messages: Your phone (or mobile device, as they’re called now) is made to be loud. So if you keep finding text messages or calls that you failed to hear, it’s most likely because you didn’t hear them. And maybe, when you think about it, you’re missing out on more common sounds.
- It sounds like everybody’s always mumbling: Often, it’s clarity not volume you need to be concerned about. One of the first symptoms of hearing loss is trouble making out conversations. If you experience this happening more often, you may want to make an appointment for a hearing test.
- Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, which goes by the name of tinnitus, is frequently a symptom of hearing damage. If you’re experiencing some ringing that won’t stop, it might or might not be a symptom of hearing loss. But if the ringing won’t stop, you should absolutely come see us for a hearing evaluation.
- You have a difficult time hearing when you’re in a loud environment: Have you ever been to a busy or loud space and had trouble following the conversation because of all the ambient noise? That may actually be a sign of hearing loss. As your hearing progresses from healthy to impaired, one of the first warning signs is the loss of the ability to identify specific sounds.
Here are several other situations that indicate you should make an appointment for a hearing screening:
- You have a buildup of ear wax you’re body can’t clear by itself
- You regularly use specific medications that are recognized to have an effect on your hearing.
- You’re experiencing episodes of vertigo
- you’re experiencing an ear infection and it won’t clear up
- You can’t easily determine where particular sounds are originating
This checklist is in no way exhaustive. For example, if your TV’s volume is maxed and you still can’t hear it. It would be a good idea to look into any of these signs.
Regular checkups
But how should you deal with it when you’re not sure if you have any symptoms of hearing loss. Is there a guideline for how often you should schedule a hearing exam? With all of the other guidelines for everything, this one seems like a no-brainer. Well, yes, there are recommendations.
- Sometime after you turn 21, you should have a hearing test. That way, you’ll have a baseline of your mature hearing.
- If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing examinations or tests every three years or so. But be sure you mark these appointments in your calendar or medical records because it’s easy to forget over these huge periods of time.
- If you notice signs of hearing loss, you will want to have it checked immediately, and then annually after that.
It will be easier to uncover any hearing loss before any warning signs become apparent with routine screenings. You will have a better chance of protecting your hearing over time the sooner you get examined. So it’s time to pick up the phone and schedule a hearing test.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
