At what point should you consider having your hearing evaluated? Here are some signs that suggest you should have your hearing evaluated.

Recently, my kids complained about how loud my TV was. Do you know what I said to them? I said, “What?!” It was meant to be humerous. But there’s nothing comical about neglected hearing loss. The TV has been getting louder and louder. And I started to ponder: Should I get a hearing test?

There’s no good reason to avoid scheduling a hearing test. They’re not invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to feel uneasy about discomfort. You just need to take a brief minute to set up an appointment.

Given the considerable impact that unaddressed hearing loss can have on your general well-being, it’s important to be proactive about monitoring your hearing.

You should get your hearing assessed if you observe these signs

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

• Background noise can be overwhelming: Have you ever strained to focus on a conversation in a noisy or crowded space, 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 issue may not always be volume but instead clarity.
• You frequently miss text messages: Your phone is designed 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.
• Ringing that won’t go away: Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is often a sign of hearing damage.

Other indications you should make an appointment for a hearing test:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• Excess earwax has amassed and can’t be removed by self-cleaning approaches
• Medications you’re using may be harming your hearing
• Distinguishing where sounds are coming from can be difficult
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Routine hearing evaluations

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

• It is encouraged to have a baseline test carried out after reaching the age of 21.
• For people with normal hearing, it’s recommended to have a hearing evaluation every three years.
• If you show symptoms of hearing loss, have it checked right away and then every year after that.

Regular screenings can help you detect hearing loss before any red flags appear. Early expert attention can considerably improve your chances of preserving healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.