When should you schedule a hearing test? Here are some signs that suggest you should get your hearing tested.

Recently, my children expressed discontent with the loud volume of the TV. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was amusing 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’re non-intrusive, they don’t involve any radiation, and you can be at ease without worries about your level of comfort. You just need to take a brief moment to schedule an appointment.

Given the considerable effect that neglected hearing loss can have on your overall well-being, it’s vital to be proactive about keeping an eye on your hearing.

You should get your hearing tested if you detect these signs

If you’ve recently noticed any symptoms of hearing loss, it’s probably a good idea to get a professional hearing assessment. If it’s hard to hear, it most likely means there’s substantial hearing impairment.

• Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever struggled to hear a conversation in a loud or crowded setting, where the surrounding din makes it hard to catch every word? It’s possible that this might be an indication of a loss of hearing.
• People always seem to be speaking unclearly: The problem may not always be volume but instead clarity.
• You’re always overlooking text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. So, if you’re always missing calls or text messages, it could be because you’re noy hearing them.
• Relentless ringing sound: A constant sensation of ringing in your ears, knowned as tinnitus, is often a sign of damage to your hearing.

Here are several other situations that indicate you should schedule a hearing assessment:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• You have an accumulation of earwax you can’t get rid of by yourself
• Medicines you’re using might be damaging your hearing
• Distinguishing where sounds are originating from can be challenging
• You’re experiencing balance problems

Routine hearing assessments

But what if you haven’t noticed any of these indications of hearing loss? Is there a guideline for how frequently you should get your hearing tested?

• Get a baseline test done at some point after you turn 21.
• For people with typical hearing, it’s recommended to have a hearing evaluation every three years.
• If you display symptoms of hearing impairment, have it evaluated immediately and then every year afterwards.

Routine assessments can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. The earlier you seek treatment, the better you’ll be able to preserve your hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.