It’s vital to do what we can to stay on top of our health and to take better care of ourselves. However, this doesn’t just mean investing time and effort into diet and exercise, it also means paying attention to little differences in our health, including our hearing health. Here, we’re going to look at some of the signs that you should be paying more attention to, and when it might be time to make an appointment for a hearing exam.
It’s been a while since you had a hearing test
Hearing tests are something that we should arrange for ourselves on a semi-regular basis, even if we don’t notice any changes in our hearing You may not need to go for one every year, but you should definitely make sure that you take part in a baseline test, especially if you have never had one as an adult. This can give you an idea of your “default” hearing level, making it easier to diagnose any changes in the future.
Having company stresses you out
Some of the signs of hearing loss can be a little harder to spot, initially, and might not present as being directly linked to your hearing. For instance, if you have trouble keeping up with conversations and communicating, to the point that it leaves you stressed and exhausted, it may be something other than hearing loss. However, hearing loss is definitely known to cause these symptoms, as well, as people with untreated hearing loss have to expend more effort to listen during conversations, which can be legitimately draining.
You’re experiencing noticeable changes to your hearing
Of course, sometimes, you can more clearly notice changes in your hearing if it s diminishing over time. If you are having trouble picking up on speech, if you have to turn up your TV or radio, or if you miss environmental noises that others notice, it could be a sign that you need hearing aids. The single best way to find out is to arrange for a hearing test, which can give you a specific idea of what your needs are, and which devices might best suit those needs.
There’s a ringing in your ears
A lot of us will, at one point or another, experience some ringing in the ears. Usually, it goes away after a few minutes or hours, but if it persists, then you need to have your hearing checked. This is called tinnitus, and if it doesn’t fade away, it can impact your quality of life, including your hearing. Hearing loss and tinnitus are very closely linked, so if you’re experiencing one, you might also be experiencing the other, and a hearing aid can help you hear beyond the ringing, and many hearing aids also include features to make it easier to tune the ringing out.
If you experience any of the changes above, then it’s best to get to the bottom of them with the help of a hearing test. The sooner you get your answers, the sooner you can live your life without worrying about it.
