Should I Get a Hearing Exam?

At what point should you think about getting your hearing assessed? Here are some indications that reveal you should have your hearing evaluated.

Recently, my children expressed displeasure with the high volume of the TV. Do you want to know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was meant to be funny. But it also wasn’t. The volume of the TV has been escalating. And I started to think about whether I should set up a hearing test.

There aren’t many reasons not to arrange a hearing test. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to be concerned about discomfort. Simply take a quick moment to book an appointment.

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

You should get your hearing tested if you detect these signs

If you’ve detected any recent changes that might be a sign of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing assessment with a professional is probably a smart decision. If it’s hard to hear, it likely means there’s considerable hearing impairment.

• Background noise can be overpowering: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, where the surrounding din makes it difficult to catch every word? That could be an indication of hearing loss.
• People always seem to be talking unclearly: The issue may not always be volume but instead clarity.
• You frequently miss text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. If you regularly fail to notice incoming calls or texts, the issue may be that you’re not able to hear them.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is typically a sign of hearing damage.

Other indications you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t clear by yourself
• Medications you’re using may be damaging your hearing
• It is hard to pinpoint the source of sounds
• You’re experiencing balance problems

Routine checkups

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

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you’re 21.
• If your hearing is normal, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
• If you show signs of hearing loss, have it checked right away and then every year after that.

Routine screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing in the long run. So you should lower the volume on your television and think about setting up a hearing test.