How to Know When It’s Time for a Hearing Exam

When should you get a hearing exam? Here are a few indications that reveal you should get your hearing evaluated.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the loud volume of the TV. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was intended to be funny. But it also wasn’t. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I started to wonder: Should I get 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 concerns about your level of comfort. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.

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

Indications you should get a hearing exam

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

• It’s hard to hear in noisy venues: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had difficulty following the conversation because of all the background noise? That might be a sign of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you need to worry about, it’s a loss of clarity.
• You’re always missing text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re constantly 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 called tinnitus, is often an indication of hearing damage.

Here are several other situations that suggest you should schedule a hearing evaluation:

• Your ear is still clogged following an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t clear on your own
• You take specific medications that can damage your hearing
• It is difficult to determine the source of sounds
• You’re experiencing balance problems

Regular checkups

Even if you aren’t observing any obvious symptoms, it’s still important to schedule routine hearing tests.

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you’re 21.
• If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing assessments every three years.
• If you demonstrate signs of hearing loss, get it checked out immediately and then annually after that.

Routine screenings may detect hearing loss early, before any warning signs are noticeable. Early expert attention can substantially improve your chances of maintaining healthy hearing over time. So you should decrease the volume on your television and consider setting up a hearing test.