Many people assume that hearing testing is only for the elderly. And while it’s true that once we get to a certain age our hearing begins to decline, it turns out that age isn’t always the biggest factor when it comes to hearing loss- particularly if you’re the type who tends to blast loud music a few times a week.
Here are some signs you need to get your hearing tested:
You’ve got ringing in your ears
This is known as tinnitus, and it’s common after we’ve been exposed to particularly loud noises (think rock concerts).This is a shift in how we perceive noise and may not even be a ringing sound- it could be a hissing, buzzing, or other type of sound, and it’s a sign that your inner ear is malfunctioning- especially if it’s continuing after the original noise or you can’t pinpoint it to any particularly loud event.
This is the brain’s way of showing you that it’s not picking up enough sound, so it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked if you continually find yourself suffering from ringing in your ears. According to Blue Angels Hearing, most people with tinnitus find it disturbing or debilitating. While others experience difficulty with concentration, depression and poor work or school performance.
Crowded events are tricky
If you find that you can’t hear enough to have a conversation in a crowded place, you may have a problem with your ears. Sure, you may be able to hear clearly if someone is speaking to you in a quiet room, but if multiple people are talking, there’s background music or noise, and you’re struggling to keep up, you may have hearing loss.
What?
If you’re continually asking people to repeat themselves, and “WHAT?” has become your favourite word, you may find that you quickly become exhausted, and your friends begin to get annoyed. Asking someone to repeat the punchline of a perfectly timed joke for the third time is going to be a big sign that you need your hearing checked stat.
Your pinpointing needs work
If you’re finding it really hard to figure out exactly where sounds are coming from, this is a bizarre sign that you need to get yourself tested. If you’re hearing a noise that seems to be coming out of thin ear and it’s really your phone or front door, it can be both confusing and annoying for all involved.
The volume keeps going up
If your neighbours are banging on your walls and family members are telling you that the TV is just way too loud, it’s a good sign that you no longer can have a normal perception of volume and sound. While subtitles are great for this, getting your hearing tested is even better.
You’re exhausted
All that time spent fighting with family members over how loud the TV should be, frantically trying to listen to conversations, and working hard to hear what people are saying can leave you exhausted. You may feel stressed, tired, or be angry and assume people are trying to speak softly to annoy you. For this reason, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested regularly, so you can avoid alienating loved ones or feeling upset when you could be hearing much more clearly.
After you’ve done your hearing test and the results show that your hearing is poorly, your otolaryngologist may recommend you to get a hearing aid that will suit best for your needs at your nearest hearing centre”