When is it time to get a hearing exam? Here are four indicators that you should have your hearing assessed.
I guess my TV is frequently cranked up to the point where my kids recently complained. And guess what I said. I said, “What”? It was funny. Because it was a joke. But, in some ways, 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.
There aren’t all that many excuses not to make an appointment for a hearing test. Hearing assessments don’t cause you any discomfort, they’re non-invasive, and there’s no radiation. It’s really just that you haven’t put aside time to do it.
You should really be more diligent about keeping track of your hearing because, if left unchecked, it can affect your overall health.
Hearing assessments are essential for many reasons. It’s often difficult for you to observe the earliest indications of hearing loss without one, and even slight hearing impairment can impact your health.
So when should you get a hearing test? Here are several ways to know if you need to consult with us.
You should have your hearing tested if you notice these signs
If you’ve recently experienced any of the symptoms of hearing loss, it’s definitely a smart idea to get a professional hearing screening. Naturally, if things are hard to hear, that’s a pretty strong indication of hearing loss.
But that’s not the only indicator, and there are some signs of hearing loss that are far less obvious:
- Ringing that won’t go away: A common sign of damaged hearing is a ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus. Ringing in the ear may or may not indicate hearing loss. But if the ringing won’t clear itself up, you should absolutely call us for a hearing test.
- It seems as if people are mumbling when they talk: Sometimes, it’s not loss of volume you need to be concerned with, it’s a loss of distinction. One of the first symptoms of hearing loss is trouble making out conversations. It may be time for a hearing screening if you observe this happening more and more often.
- It’s tough to hear in noisy locations: Have you ever been to a busy or noisy room and had difficulty hearing the conversation because of all the ambient noise? If this seems familiar you could be experiencing hearing loss. Being able to identify sounds is one indication of a healthy ear; this ability tends to wane as hearing loss progresses.
- You’re always missing text messages: Your cellphone (or mobile device, as they’re called now) is designed to be loud. So if you’re frequently missing calls or text messages, it might be because you can’t hear them. And maybe, when you think about it, you’re missing out on more common sounds.
Here are several other situations that indicate you should schedule a hearing screening:
- You have a buildup of ear wax you’re body can’t clear on your own
- Your ear hasn’t cleared after an ear infection
- You experience vertigo
- You take certain medications that can harm your hearing
- You can’t easily detect where particular sounds are coming from
This list, clearly, isn’t complete. For instance, if your TV’s volume is at max and you still can’t hear it. It would be a smart idea to look into any of these signs.
Routine examinations
But how should you cope with it when you’re not sure if you have any symptoms of hearing loss. Is there a guideline for how frequently you should go get your hearing checked? With all of the other guidelines for everything else, this one seems like a no-brainer. Well, yes, there are suggestions.
- Get a baseline assessment done sometime after you’re 21. That way, you’ll have a baseline of your mature hearing.
- Every three years or so will be a good schedule if your hearing seems normal. But make sure you mark these appointments in your calendar or medical records because it’s easy to forget over these long periods of time.
- If you notice signs of hearing loss, you will want to have it assessed right away, and then yearly after that.
It will be easier to discover any hearing loss before any warning signs become apparent with routine examinations. You will have a better chance of preserving your hearing over time the sooner you get examined. So it’s time to pick up the phone and schedule a hearing assessment.