When is it time to have your hearing checked? You need a hearing exam if you have any of these four signs.
I guess my TV is regularly cranked up to the point where my kids recently complained. You know what I said to them? I said, “What”? It was humorous. Because it was a joke. But, in reality, it was anything but funny. I have needed to turn the TV up louder and louder as of late. And that got me thinking that perhaps it’s time for a hearing assessment.
It really doesn’t make much sense to avoid getting a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, you don’t have to worry about discomfort. It’s really just that you haven’t put aside time to do it.
You should really be more diligent about staying on top of your hearing because, if left unchecked, it can affect your general health.
Hearing exams are essential for many reasons. Even slight hearing loss can have an impact on your health and it’s almost impossible to recognize early hearing loss without a hearing assessment.
So when should you get your hearing tested? Here are some indications that it’s time.
You should have your hearing tested if you observe these signs
If you’ve recently observed any of the signs of hearing loss, it’s definitely a smart idea to get a professional hearing screening. Clearly, it’s a powerful indication of hearing loss if you’re having a difficult time hearing.
But some of the other signs of hearing loss are more subtle:
- It’s hard to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a busy or noisy space and had difficulty hearing the conversation because of all the background noise? That may actually be an indication of hearing loss. Being able to isolate sounds is one indication of healthy hearing; this ability tends to wane as hearing loss progresses.
- It seems as if people are mumbling when they talk: Sometimes, it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of definition. One of the first signs of hearing loss is difficulty following conversations. It may be time for a hearing screening if you notice this occurring more and more frequently.
- Ringing that won’t clear itself up: A typical sign of injured hearing is a ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus. If you’re experiencing some ringing that won’t go away, it might or might not be a symptom of hearing loss. But it’s definitely a sign that you should get a hearing assessment.
- You always miss alerts for text messages: Mobile devices are made to be loud enough for you to hear. So if you’re continuously missing calls or text messages, it might be because you can’t hear them. And perhaps, when you think about it, you’re failing to hear more common sounds.
Here are several other circumstances that show you should make an appointment for a hearing screening:
- You’re experiencing episodes of vertigo
- you’re experiencing an ear infection and it won’t clear up
- You regularly use specific medications that are recognized to have an effect on your hearing.
- It’s challenging to pinpoint the origin of sounds
- Your ears aren’t clearing earwax thoroughly
This checklist, clearly, isn’t extensive. There are other instances of red flags (if, for example, the volume on your TV is maxed out and you still wish it could go just a little bit louder). It would be a smart plan to follow up on any of these signs.
Regular checkups
But how should you deal with it when you’re not certain if you have any symptoms of hearing loss. So how frequently should you have your hearing tested? With all of the other guidelines for everything, this one seems like a no-brainer. There are, actually, some recommendations.
- Get a baseline test done sometime after you’re 21. Then your mature hearing will have a baseline.
- If your hearing is healthy, undergo hearing screenings or tests every three years or so. That can be a long time to pay attention to, so make sure they’re noted in your medical records somewhere.
- You’ll want to get checked immediately if you notice any signs of hearing loss and after that once every year.
Regular examinations can help you identify hearing loss before any warning signs develop. The earlier you seek treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing in the long run. Which means, you should probably turn down your TV and schedule a hearing examination.
