February 24, 2023
Whether or not you need a hearing test depends on a number of factors including age, health conditions, and reported symptoms. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider getting a hearing test:
- You find yourself asking people to repeat.
- You cannot hear people if you cannot see their mouth.
- You have difficulty hearing in background noise.
- You’re turning up the volume on your TV or phone.
- You’ve been exposed to loud noises. If you have been around loud noise, you may be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. This is true even if the noise exposure was in the past.
- You’re over the age of 50. Age-related hearing loss is common and can begin to affect people as early as their 50s.
- You have a family history of hearing loss. If your parents, grandparents, or other family members have experienced hearing loss, you may be at a higher risk of developing hearing problems.
- You have certain health conditions: Some health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, can increase your risk of hearing loss.
- People sound like they are mumbling.
- You “hear” but you do not understand.
- You’re fatigued after social events.
If any of these apply to you, it’s a good idea to schedule a hearing test with a qualified audiologist or hearing healthcare professional. They can evaluate your hearing and recommend any necessary treatment or accommodations to help you hear better.
