You usually stay on top of your health appointments. You see the doctor for a physical every year, and you get an eye exam every year or two. But when was the last time you took a hearing test? It can be hard to know just how often you should get your hearing tested. Here are 5 signs that you should take a hearing test this month.
1. You Can’t Remember Your Last Hearing Test
If you can’t remember when you last visited a hearing health specialist, or it’s been more than a few years since your last hearing test, it’s time to take a hearing test. We recommend that adults test their hearing at least every 3 to 5 years. Hearing tests provide valuable information about your hearing health.
Even if you don’t have hearing loss, the hearing test can still show you changes in your hearing threshold or show other changes in your hearing. You’ll be able to see changes between hearing tests, and you will be ready to treat hearing loss the moment hearing loss interferes with your daily life.
2. You’re 50 Or Older
Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common types of hearing loss. Older adults have a higher risk of having hearing loss. But that doesn’t mean hearing loss has to be a part of aging! By treating your hearing loss, you can keep up with the kids, stay in the loop at work, and enjoy deepening your connections with loved ones.
If you’re 50 or over, we recommend getting a hearing test every 1 to 3 years. Regular hearing tests will help you catch hearing loss early and find the right treatment option.
3. You’ve Been Turning Up the Volume
Have you been cranking up the volume on the TV, radio, or phone? Has your family told you the volume is too loud? Maybe they refuse to watch TV with you, or always ask that you turn on subtitles and turn down the volume.
Turning up the volume is a sign you should take a hearing test. Hearing loss can make it very difficult to catch all the sounds you’re trying to hear. You may miss important dialogue during your favorite show, or have a hard time understanding the news anchor. Turning up the volume doesn’t always help. That’s because hearing loss doesn’t affect all sounds in the same way. You may hear some sounds normally, but other sounds may be very hard to hear. When you turn up the volume, some sounds become uncomfortably loud, and others are still too soft. Rather than turning up the volume, schedule a hearing test.
4. You Have a Noisy Job
Have you spent years working in noisy conditions? If you have a history of prolonged exposure to noise, you should take a hearing test. Noise-induced hearing loss is another common type of hearing loss. Noise pollution and noise exposure can damage the cells in your ear and contribute to hearing loss. If you work in a noisy environment, you should definitely get a hearing test.
Noise exposure doesn’t just happen at work. Noisy hobbies can also damage your hearing. If you have any loud hobbies like hunting, going to concerts, or even spending lots of time at a noisy bar, you should get your hearing tested.
5. You’re Exhausted After Conversations
Is your social life becoming exhausting? Hearing loss makes it particularly hard to follow conversations. Some speech sounds, like consonant sounds, are often high-pitched sounds that you have a harder time hearing. Even if you think you’re hearing all the words, these missing sounds make it difficult to follow the conversation. You use a lot of energy straining to hear. At the end of a social event, or even at the end of an evening with your family, you may feel completely exhausted. This is a clear sign you should get a hearing test.
Schedule a Hearing Test Today
Call us to book a hearing test and find out more about your hearing needs. A hearing test can show you exactly what sounds you’re missing. Then you can find hearing aids that match your hearing needs and your lifestyle. Come visit us today!