When should you schedule a hearing evaluation? Here are a few signs that reveal you should get your hearing tested.

The other day, my kids complained about how loud my television was. My answer …” What?!” It was intended to be humorous. But there’s nothing funny about neglected hearing loss. The television has been getting louder and louder. And I began to wonder: Should I get a hearing exam?

There aren’t many good reasons not to arrange a hearing test. They’re not invasive, there’s no radiation, and you don’t have to worry about discomfort. You just need to take a brief moment to set up an appointment.

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

Indications you should get a hearing exam

If you’ve noticed any recent changes that may be a sign of hearing loss, scheduling a thorough hearing evaluation with a professional is probably a smart decision. If it’s difficult to hear, it most likely means there’s substantial 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 ambient noise? That could be a sign of hearing loss.
• It sounds like everyone’s mumbling all the time: Sometimes it’s not loss of volume you have to worry about, it’s a loss of definition.
• You frequently overlook text messages: Your phone is meant to be loud. If you routinely 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 a sign of hearing damage.

Here are a few other scenarios that indicate you should arrange a hearing screening:

• Your ear hasn’t opened after an infection
• You have a buildup of earwax you can’t remove on your own
• You take certain medications that can damage your hearing
• Determining where sounds are coming from can be difficult
• You’re experiencing balance issues

Regular checkups

Even if you’re not observing any noticeable symptoms, it’s still important to schedule regular hearing exams.

• Get a baseline test done sometime after you turn 21.
• If your hearing is healthy, undergo hearing screenings every three years.
• If you show symptoms of hearing loss, get it checked immediately and then annually after that.

Routine assessments can help you identify hearing loss before any warnings appear. Prompt professional attention can substantially increase your chances of preserving healthy hearing over time. This means you should probably turn your TV down and schedule a hearing test.