When is it time to get a hearing exam? Here are four indicators that you need to get your hearing tested.
I guess my TV is frequently turned up to the point where my kids recently complained. And guess what my reply was. I said, “What”? It was humorous. Because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And that got me thinking that maybe it’s time for a hearing test.
It really doesn’t make much sense to avoid getting a hearing assessment. Hearing tests don’t cause you any discomfort, they’re non-invasive, and there’s no radiation. You’ve probably just been putting it on the back-burner.
You should really be more diligent about staying on top of your hearing because, if left unchecked, it can affect your overall health.
Hearing exams are essential for a wide variety of reasons. Even mild hearing loss can have an affect on your health and it’s almost impossible to identify early hearing loss without a hearing assessment.
So when should you get your hearing tested? Here are several ways to tell if you need to come see us.
You should have your hearing tested if you notice these signs
It’s time to get a professional hearing test if you’ve been experiencing symptoms of hearing loss recently. Clearly, it’s a strong indication of hearing loss if you’re having a difficult time hearing.
But some of the other indications of hearing loss are more subtle:
- You have a tough time hearing when you’re in a loud environment: Have you ever had a hard time keeping up with conversations because of background noise in a busy room? That may actually be a sign of hearing loss. As your hearing goes from healthy to impaired, one of the first warning signs is the loss of the ability to identify distinct sounds.
- Persistent ringing in your ears: A common sign of injured hearing is a ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus. If you’re dealing with some ringing that won’t stop, it may or may not be a symptom of hearing loss. But it’s definitely a sign that you should schedule a hearing exam.
- You don’t always hear alerts for text messages: Mobile devices are manufactured to be loud enough for you to hear. So if you’re continuously missing calls or text messages, it may be because you can’t hear them. And if you can’t hear your mobile device, what else might you be missing?
- It sounds like everyone’s always mumbling: Sometimes, it’s not loss of volume you need to be concerned with, it’s a loss of distinction. One of the earlier symptoms of hearing loss is trouble following conversations. If you detect this happening more and more, you may want to schedule a hearing exam.
Here are a few other circumstances that indicate you should make an appointment for a hearing evaluation:
- You have vertigo
- You take specific medications that can damage your hearing
- Your ear hasn’t cleared after an infection
- Your ears are not clearing earwax completely
- You can’t easily detect where particular sounds are coming from
This list, clearly, isn’t extensive. For instance, if your TV’s volume is maxed and you still can’t hear it. But any one of these signs is worth looking into.
Routine examinations
But what if, to your knowledge, you haven’t experienced any of these possible signs of hearing impairment? Is there a guideline for how often you should go get your hearing checked? There’s a guideline for everything else, right, so there’s got to be a guideline for this. Well, yes, there are suggestions.
- Get a baseline exam 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 healthy. That can be a long time to pay attention to, so make sure they’re marked in your medical records somewhere.
- You’ll want to get tested right away if you notice any signs of hearing loss and after that once every year.
Regular screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any warning signs surface. The earlier you obtain treatment, the better you’ll be able to protect your hearing in the long run. So it’s time to give us a call and make an appointment for a hearing examination.