At what point should you consider getting your hearing evaluated? Here are a few indications that suggest you should have your hearing evaluated.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my television was. My answer …” What?!” It was amusing because it was a joke. But it also wasn’t. The TV 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 aren’t invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to feel uneasy about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to schedule an appointment.

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

Indications you should get a hearing exam

If you’ve detected any recent changes that may be indicative of hearing loss, scheduling a comprehensive hearing evaluation with a professional is probably a smart decision. If it’s difficult to hear, it most likely means there’s significant hearing impairment.

• It’s hard to hear in noisy places: Have you ever been to a crowded or noisy space and had difficulty keeping up with the conversation because of all the background noise? That may be an indication of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everybody’s mumbling all the time: In some cases it’s not loss of volume you need to be concerned about, it’s a loss of clarity.
• You often overlook text messages: Your phone is designed to be loud. If you frequently 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 known as tinnitus, is often an indication of hearing damage.

Other signs you should schedule a hearing test:

• Your ear is still blocked following an infection
• Excess earwax has accumulated and can’t be removed by self-cleaning methods
• Medicines you’re taking may be damaging your hearing
• It is difficult to pinpoint the source of sounds
• You have vertigo

Routine hearing assessments

Even if you aren’t observing any obvious symptoms, it’s still important to schedule regular hearing exams.

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

Routine assessments can help you detect hearing loss before any warnings appear. Early professional attention can considerably improve your chances of preserving healthy hearing over time. So you should lower the volume on your television and consider setting up a hearing test.