Do you need a hearing test? This is a question you’ve probably asked yourself at least once before – but how do you know if you really need one? Unlike other health exams, you don’t require regular hearing tests throughout the year, all the time. They’re far less frequent, but there are plenty of times where you might need one.

So, to help you out, here’s how you figure out if you need a hearing test or not:

Have you ever had one before?

If you’re an adult that’s never had a hearing test before, then you need one. Even if you’ve got no evident problems with your hearing, it’s an excellent idea to see an audiologist for this examination. It will help them understand if your hearing is where it should be for someone of your age, and they can spot any possible warning signs – allowing them to help you change your lifestyle to prevent hearing loss in the future. So, if you’ve never had a hearing test, then it’s time to book one.

Do you have a hard time hearing what people are saying to you?

If the answer to this is yes, then you need a hearing test. It shows your speech recognition is weak, which indicates that you may have some type of hearing loss. A hearing test from an audiologist will deduce what’s wrong and how to treat it.

Are you oblivious to certain tones?

It’s common for people with hearing loss to stop hearing particular tones at certain pitches. If you feel like this is happening to you, then you need a hearing test. A good indication of this issue is when everyone else can hear something, but you’re the only one who can’t.

Have you had tinnitus for weeks on end?

If you’ve got tinnitus – and you can’t think of any clear reason that might have caused it – then it could be a sign of hearing loss. The two conditions are closely linked, and it’s worth getting a hearing test to see if it is indicating hearing loss. Your audiologist will set everything up for you, and you’ll receive a diagnosis in no time.

Are you listening to things at loud volumes?

People with good hearing don’t need to turn the volume up on devices to hear everything. If your family are always complaining about how loud the television is, but you think it sounds normal, then it shows you have a problem with your hearing. As a result, you have to see an audiologist to get a thorough hearing test.

Are you 50 or older?

Lastly, if you’re over 50, then you immediately enter the group of people who are most likely to have hearing problems. So, regardless of if you’ve had a hearing test before, you need to go for one again. Not only that, but your tests will become far more frequent as your audiologist will want to track your hearing health to ensure they act fast as soon as hearing loss is spotted.

So, for pretty much everyone, the answer is yes; you do need a hearing test. If you’ve never had one, then you need one, and if you experience any of the issues spoken about above, then you also need one. Book your hearing test today, and you will make one huge step towards better hearing health.