5 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

A hearing test is a way for an audiologist to check whether there is an issue with your hearing. During hearing tests, your ears will be checked for the ability to hear pitch, tone and of course volume. Physical elements of your ear will also be examined to make sure that there are no issues causing the problems with your hearing. This can include a build up of ear wax or an abnormal growth in your ear. You might be wondering about the signs that you do need to see an audiologist for hearing tests. Here are some of the issues to watch out for.

1. Turning up the volume

Do you constantly find yourself turning up the volume on your devices? This could be your computer, laptop, TV or phone. If you find that you can no longer hear them at a comfortable setting, this is a sign that you need hearing tests. Typically, you will find that your devices have a recommended listening level on them. Needing to listen to anything above this level could point to a sign that you are having a hearing problem. Particularly, if you were able to hear at a far lower volume before.

2. Difficulty hearing speech

You might find that you are struggling to hear group conversations or even when someone is talking directly to you. It’s possible that you constantly find yourself asking people to repeat what they just said. Or, you may completely miss massive chunks of the conversation. These are signs that your hearing has been affected. You might also be trying to get into a different physical position where you can hear more easily such as craning your neck. You might even move closer to someone so that you can hear them more effectively. It’s all a sign that your hearing is not what it used to be.

3. Other people noticing problems

Sometimes, you won’t be the person who has noticed an issue with your hearing. It could be someone you know or someone in your personal life. A family member might have mentioned how loud the TV is while it sounds perfectly normal to you. A partner may be frustrated at how many times they have to repeat themselves when they are speaking to you. It’s all sign of issues with hearing that need to be addressed.  

4. Speaking louder than normal

Someone might also have noticed that you are talking at a louder volume. This will typically be due to the fact that you are trying subconsciously to compensate for your loss of hearing, so you can still hear yourself talk.

5. Issues with balance

People often forget that problems with your hearing can also lead to issues with your balance. Your inner ear can impact whether you can walk and move effectively. If you seem to be clumsier than usual, you might want to think about booking hearing tests with an audiologist. Remember, an issue with your hearing can point to a more serious health concern and it’s always better to catch it early.