When should you get a hearing exam? Here are some indications you need to have your hearing assessed.
Recently, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. Do you want to know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I started to ponder: Should I get a hearing test?
There aren’t many reasons not to set up a hearing test. They’re non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without worries about your comfort level. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.
Given the significant impact that neglected hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s crucial to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.
You should have your hearing assessed if you notice these signs
If you’ve recently noticed any signs of hearing loss, it’s probably a good idea to get a professional hearing assessment. Obviously, if things are difficult to hear, that’s a pretty solid indication of hearing loss.
- Ambient noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a noisy or crowded setting, where the surrounding din makes it tough to hear every word? That might be an indication of hearing loss.
- People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The problem may not always be volume but instead definition.
- You frequently miss text messages: Your phone is intended to be attention-grabbing. If you frequently fail to observe incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
- Persistent ringing sound: A continuous sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is typically an indication of damage to your hearing.
Here are a few other situations that suggest you should arrange a hearing assessment:
- Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
- Surplus earwax has amassed and can not be eliminated by self-cleaning methods
- Medicines you’re using might be damaging your hearing
- Determining where sounds are coming from can be challenging
- You have vertigo
Routine checkups
But what if you haven’t noticed any of these signs of hearing loss? Is there a criteria for how frequently you should get your hearing checked?
- Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
- If your hearing is healthy, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
- If you display signs of hearing impairment, have it evaluated right away and then annually afterwards.
Routine screenings may identify hearing loss early, before any warning signs are obvious. The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and set up a hearing test.