Do You Need a Hearing Exam?

Incorporating regular hearing exams into your healthcare routine is essential for maintaining your quality of life. Monitoring your hearing allows you to detect any changes early, ensuring timely access to treatment and enabling you to adjust your environment to protect your hearing health. But how do you know when you need a hearing test and how is it beneficial for you?

Are You Suddenly Finding it Harder to Hear?

If you’re suddenly finding it harder to hear, it could be a sign you’re experiencing hearing loss. Maybe you’ve recently only been able to hear the TV on a high volume? Maybe you need to put subtitles on when you’ve never needed them before? These are common symptoms, and a hearing test can help you to understand them.

Do You Often Ask People to Repeat Themselves?

When you’re in a conversation, do you find it hard to hear someone when they say something for the first time? If this hasn’t always been the case for you, it could be a sign that you’re having trouble with speech recognition. If you are asking people to repeat themselves, schedule an appointment with an audiologist. They can test your hearing to understand which type and the severity of hearing loss you are experiencing.

Does Concentrating During Conversation Give You a Headache?

Hearing loss can cause cognitive disruption, due to the amount of concentration needed to stay on track in conversation. This extra effort can cause tension and headaches, especially after long conversations or in noisy environments. If you’re finding it increasingly difficult to follow conversations without straining, it might be time to consider a hearing test to see if hearing aids could help.

Are You Over the Age of 50?

Age is a factor in hearing loss. From the age of 18, it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked at least once every decade. However, if you’re aged 50 or over, you should get your hearing checked out every two to three years, as this can help to measure your hearing over the years. By getting frequent hearing check-ups, you can get the right treatment for you, and if needed, an adjusted treatment to match your current needs.

It’s good practice to have a test done once a decade over the age of 18, every three years over the age of 50, and every year if you’re aged 65 and over. Understanding your hearing and taking steps to prevent further decline can delay the need for a hearing aid. Your audiologist can offer advice on how to maintain and possibly improve your hearing.

Regular hearing exams are essential for maintaining your hearing health. They help you identify any issues early on and take the necessary steps to prevent further damage. By staying on top of your hearing, you can ensure a better quality of life and keep enjoying the sounds around you. If you notice any of these warning signs of hearing loss or are experiencing other symptoms, talk to an audiologist to schedule your hearing test.