5 Signs You May Need a Hearing Test
Hearing test Mesa Scottsdale Phoenix
When was the last time you had a hearing test? If you’re like many adults, your answer is either, “I don’t know” or “When I was a kid.” It’s standard for newborns to receive hearing screening, and hearing tests are commonly performed on schoolchildren as well. However, after that, many people don’t receive another hearing test for many years.
If you haven’t had a hearing test in a long time, then it’s possible that you might want to consider visiting an audiologist to have your hearing checked. Here are five signs that you might need a hearing test.
1. You turn up the volume
One common early sign of hearing loss is that you find yourself turning up the volume. You might turn the TV up – and then your family tells you that it’s too loud. You might gradually nudge the volume on your podcasts or audiobooks all the way up, trying to understand what’s being said. This is often a sign that your hearing is not as good as it used to be.
2. You ask people to repeat themselves
Another common sign is that you frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves or speak louder. People with hearing loss sometimes feel that others mumble more than they used to, or that people these days just don’t speak clearly. However, the speech of others is likely the same as it’s always been; it’s your hearing that’s changing. If you start to find yourself noticing people mumbling a lot, then getting a hearing test is a good idea.
3. Conversations make you tired
People with hearing loss will often need to make an effort to compensate for it, in order to understand a conversation. They need to ignore background noise, focus closely on the person they’re talking to, and maybe even do some lip reading in order to understand the other person. Often, they’re not even aware that they’re doing this. However, the effort that’s required is considerable, and so people with hearing loss will tend to feel tired after having a conversation. If you find conversations to be draining, especially when you’re in a noisy space (like at a restaurant or a party), it’s worth considering that you might have hearing loss.
4. People tell you that you talk loudly
A person with hearing loss will often begin to speak louder, in order to hear the sound of their own voice. To themselves, they sound normal, as the louder voice compensates for the hearing loss. However, to others, the person with hearing loss will be speaking unusually loudly. If people tell you that you talk too loud, but you don’t feel like you’re speaking loudly at all, then a hearing test is a good idea.
5. You have ringing in your ears
Many people with hearing loss also experience tinnitus. This is an unusual sound that’s generated within the brain, as it seeks to make up for the audio input that’s lacking due to hearing loss. It’s often described as ringing in the ears, but can also consist of other types of sounds, including buzzing, whooshing, clicking, or even music. If you hear sounds that aren’t really there, then it’s likely that you have hearing loss, and you should get a hearing test.
Hearing test Mesa Scottsdale Phoenix
If you’re experiencing any signs that could indicate hearing loss, then getting a hearing test as soon as possible is a good idea. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the sooner you can receive the appropriate treatment. Being able to hear well is crucial for your relationships and quality of life, and people who get treatment for hearing loss are almost always glad that they did so. In fact, untreated hearing loss is associated with dementia, so treatment may help to preserve your brain function. If you have any signs that you might need a hearing test, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists. As highly trained professionals in the field of hearing health, Dr. Cassandra Fynes and Roger Knighton are extremely well-qualified to diagnose and treat hearing problems. They’ve helped thousands of people with hearing loss. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment.
