2 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

Despite its severity, hearing loss is a medical issue that is often overlooked in many circles. For instance, while medical issues such as heart diseases and diabetes are taken quite seriously, the same level of concern is not shown to hearing loss. Individuals with hearing problems should schedule a hearing test with their audiologist as soon as possible.   

Because hearing loss is often gradual, it can be difficult to know when you’re experiencing it. If you notice the following three signs, consider scheduling a hearing test with your audiologist.

1. Keeping up with conversation is difficult

The first, and perhaps the clearest, sign of reduced hearing strength is when you find it hard to keep up with someone talking. Although you might blame other factors such as the background noise or the speaker's way of talking, you should get your hearing tested if it happens all too often. Therefore, if you fail to comprehend words being spoken over a dinner table, you're hearing ability might be flailing. 

Similarly, another real world example of reduced hearing strength can be your inability to keep pace with someone on the other line, especially when the in-call volume is turned up to the max. We're often quick to blame weak signals and telephone speakers but sometimes, the problem can be traced back to your own hearing strength or lack of it. According to experts, an effective way to check if you have a hearing problem or not is to turn the in-call volume to 70 percent and then have a conversion. If you're able to hear the other person, then your hearing is fine. However, if you cannot hear the other person crystal clear, then there's something wrong with your hearing prowess.

2. The TV volume is too loud

Keeping the TV volume turned to above normal levels is again a clear sign that there's something wrong with your hearing ability. For example, if you turn the volume of your TV set high without realizing that the people around you are finding that volume irritatingly high, that's a lucid sign of hearing loss. Furthermore, even if you do not keep the volume too high but know of somebody who does, then it is important that you signal the problem out to that person and refer that person to a hearing specialist. 

3. Trouble hearing on the phone

Another indication of hearing loss is when you struggle to clearly hear on the phone. If just one conversation is difficult, it could be a poor connection, but when you experience frequent issues with phone calls it’s a sign that your hearing may be going. Consider having a hearing test with an audiologist to determine if this is the case.

Hearing loss can be treated with the use of hearing aids, but until you know the severity of your loss, you will be left filling in the blanks. Schedule a hearing test with an audiologist in your area and take control of your hearing health.