Do You Need a Hearing Test?

Healthy hearing is a blessing not to be ignored, especially as it can impact various aspects of your daily life. If you do suffer from hearing loss, even to a mild degree, it’s important to get this issue seen by an audiologist as soon as possible. Unfortunately, slight or gradual hearing loss is often difficult to notice, especially as the body is very good at adapting to the reduced capabilities.

Appreciating the symptoms and situations in which you should probably seek a hearing test is vital. Here are five you need to acknowledge.

You struggle to follow conversations

Perhaps the most telling sign that you should visit an audiologist is when you struggle to keep up with conversations. If you’ve noticed that you get frustrated by missing the punchlines or asking people to continually repeat themselves, you may have a hearing problem. If the hearing loss is mild to moderate, you may be fine with following one-to-one talks. However, group chats or speaking to people with higher pitched voices may become a struggle. Do not ignore it.

You avoid social situations

While you might not always consciously realize that you suffer from hearing loss, you will notice it on a subconscious level. Consequently, you may find that you’ve started to reject invitations to social events or stopped going to the cinema or music gigs. When your habits have changed in this way, there is a good chance that it’s because the enjoyment has been lost due to reduced hearing and the social embarrassment that it brings. Getting checked over by the audiologist is essential.

You have missed alarms and similar sound notifications

Given that many sufferers struggle with pitch rather than volume alone, it’s not uncommon for missed sound notifications to become one of the first problems caused by hearing loss. If you’ve noticed that you miss phone calls or people ringing the doorbell, it could be a sign that seeing an audiologist would be wise. Meanwhile, if you regularly see the emergency service vehicles before you hear them, this may be a telling indicator that your range of hearing isn’t as it should be.

You get teased by your family or friends

It’s impossible for friends and relatives to know what you can hear. However, they do know what they hear; if they regularly mention that you listen to the TV on a loud volume or have your cell phone set to a loud setting, it could be something to investigate. Likewise, if it is suggested that you talk loudly, this may be because you’re hearing is less than perfect. It won’t always be the case, while some will find that wax and temporary issues are to blame. Still, seeing the audiologist is key.

You’ve not had a hearing test for several years

Taking care of your hearing health requires a proactive approach. Even if you haven’t noticed the symptoms, there is a possibility that you’ve been living with hearing loss for several years. Therefore, it’s important to get your ears tested every few years, even when you’re young. If you are older, or have a family history of hearing loss, an annual hearing test is advised. Either way, staying on top of the situation today will lead to a clearer tomorrow.