When Should I Get my Hearing Tested?

Woman with short curly hair reading about hearing tests on her phone contemplating scheduling and exam

When should you have your hearing tested? You need a hearing exam if you have any of these four warning signs.

I guess my TV is frequently cranked up to the point where my kids recently complained. And guess what my reply was. I said, “What”? It was funny. Because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. I have needed to turn the TV up louder and louder as of late. And that got me thinking that perhaps it’s time for a hearing test.

There aren’t really that many reasons not to make an appointment for a hearing exam. They aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, you don’t have to worry about discomfort. It’s really just that you haven’t made time for it.

Considering how much neglected hearing loss can affect your health, you really should be more diligent about making sure your hearing impairment hasn’t gotten worse.

There are lots of good reasons why hearing evaluations are important. Even mild hearing loss can have an impact on your health and it’s nearly impossible to identify early hearing loss without a hearing examination.

So when should you have a hearing test? Here are some signs that it’s time.

Signs you should get a hearing test

If you’ve recently experienced any of the signs of hearing loss, it’s probably a good plan to get a professional hearing exam. Naturally, if things are hard to hear, that’s a pretty strong indication of hearing loss.

But some of the other indications of hearing loss are more subtle:

  • Ringing that won’t clear itself up: A common sign of injured hearing is a ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus. Ringing in the ear might or might not point to hearing loss. But if the ringing won’t go away, you should definitely come see us for a hearing evaluation.
  • It seems like people are mumbling when they talk: Sometimes, it’s clarity not volume you need to be concerned about. Trouble making out conversations is one of the first signs that something is going wrong with your hearing. If you detect this happening more and more, you might want to schedule a hearing test.
  • You always miss alerts for text messages: Mobile devices are manufactured to be loud enough for you to be able to hear. So if you keep finding text messages or calls that you failed to hear, it’s probably because you didn’t hear them. And if you can’t hear your mobile device, what else are you missing?
  • It’s hard to hear in noisy locations: Have you ever been to a busy or noisy space and had trouble following the conversation because of all the ambient noise? If this seems familiar you could be developing hearing loss. Being able to identify sounds is one indication of healthy hearing; this ability tends to wane as hearing loss worsens.

Here are a few other situations that show you should make an appointment for a hearing evaluation:

  • Your ears are not clearing earwax completely
  • You’re experiencing episodes of vertigo
  • You regularly use specific medications that are known to have an effect on your hearing.
  • Your ear hasn’t cleared after an ear infection
  • It’s challenging to determine the origin of sounds

This list is certainly not exhaustive. For instance, if your TV’s volume is at max and you still can’t hear it. It would be a smart plan to look into any of these symptoms.

Regular examinations

But what if, to your knowledge, you haven’t encountered any of these potential symptoms of hearing impairment? Is there a guideline for how frequently you should schedule a hearing exam? There’s a guideline for everything else, right, so there’s got to be a guideline for this. Well, yes, there are recommendations.

  • Sometime after you turn 21, you need to have a hearing assessment. Then your mature hearing will have a baseline.
  • Every three years or so will be a good schedule if your hearing appears healthy. That can be a long time to pay attention to, so make certain they’re noted in your medical records somewhere.
  • If you show signs of hearing loss, you will want to get it checked right away, and then annually after that.

It will be easier to uncover any hearing loss before any red flags become apparent with routine examinations. The earlier you seek treatment, the better you’ll be able to maintain your hearing into the future. Which means, you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing examination.

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.

Questions?

    Beach Audiology

    Myrtle Beach, SC

    950 48th Ave N Suite 203Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

    Call or Text: 843-438-5062

    Fax:
    844-444-0901

    Monday through Thursday, 9am – 5pm
    Friday, by appointment only

    Myrtle Beach, SC Google Business Profile

    Find out how we can help!

    Call or Text Us