Key Signs That Your Need a Hearing Test

A hearing test is one of the most routine services that any audiologist offers, giving them and you, a much clearer picture of your ear and hearing health. In most cases, it involves a physical inspection of the ear and a few basic questions about your health, followed up by a test in a soundproof room that sees you responding to tones of different volumes and pitches. But what are the signs that you need one in the first place?

You’ve Noticed Changes to Your Hearing

Perhaps the most obvious sign you need a hearing test is your hearing has changed in one way or another. If you find that your hearing is a little more muffled, quieter, that you have trouble picking up women’s and children’s voices or have trouble hearing in places with even light background noise, then you should certainly get your hearing checked. This also applies to those who have started experiencing tinnitus. Tinnitus and hearing loss are often connected.

Someone Else Has Remarked on Your Hearing

Changes to your hearing health can be so gradual, that often, you aren’t the first person to notice it. If someone in your life mentions that you seem to be missing certain sounds, if they have to repeat themselves often for you to comprehend them or if they comment that the volume of your TV or speakers is way too loud, even if it sounds normal to you, these are signs of hearing loss, too.

You Work or Spend Time in Loud Environments

Exposure to overly loud noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, especially in young people. This could be going to sporting events, concerts, the shooting range, fireworks shows or otherwise, but is just as often because of working in loud environments. Aside from ensuring that your hearing health is accurately understood, your audiologist can provide information and advice on hearing protection options to prevent exposure to loud noise from causing damage to your hearing.

You’re Over 65

Although there are plenty of other risk factors that impact your hearing, getting older is one of the most prevalent. When you are older become more susceptible to the decline of the hair cells in your ears as you get older and, it becomes more prudent to arrange for a test on an annual basis.

It’s Been a While Since You’ve Had a Test

If it has been several years since your last test, it’s a good idea to arrange for another one, just to be able to compare and notice any slight changes in your hearing. If you have never had a hearing test before, then you should make an appointment for a baseline test so that you have a point of comparison for the future.

There are very few reasons that you shouldn’t schedule for a routine hearing test with your audiologist. There’s never a downside to being more informed about your hearing health. If you have any questions talk to an audiologist, they will answer any you have.