<Woman in a booth getting a hearing test.

At what point should you consider getting your hearing assessed? Here are some signs you need to get your hearing checked.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the high volume of the TV. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was funny because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I began 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 worries about your comfort level. Just take a quick moment to book an appointment.

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

You should get your hearing checked if you detect these signs

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

  • Background noise can be overpowering: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, where the surrounding racket makes it hard to catch every word? It’s possible that this could be an indication of impaired hearing.
  • People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The problem may not always be volume but rather clarity.
  • You regularly miss text messages: Your phone is meant to be attention-grabbing. If you regularly fail to observe incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
  • Persistent ringing sound: A constant sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is frequently an indication of damage to your hearing.

Other signs you should schedule a hearing test:

  • Your ear is still blocked following an infection
  • You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t get rid of on your own
  • You take certain medications that can harm your hearing
  • Distinguishing where sounds are coming from can be difficult
  • You have vertigo

Routine hearing evaluations

But what if you haven’t recognized any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how often you should have your hearing checked?

  • Get a baseline test done at some point after you turn 21.
  • For individuals with typical hearing, it’s advised to have a hearing evaluation every three years.
  • If you display symptoms of hearing loss, have it assessed right away and then annually afterwards.

Regular screenings might identify hearing loss early, before any warning signs are obvious. The earlier you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing in the long run. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.