Is it Time for a Hearing Test?

Being able to hear clearly is about more than merely turning up the volume on the radio or TV. Hearing loss has far-reaching effects from depression to an increased risk of falls. Indeed, you may be suffering from some of the secondary effects of hearing loss, such as loss of self-confidence, but not yet made the link to your impaired hearing.

Seeking help while the problem is mild means you are better suited to adapt to the use of a hearing device and protects your ability to hear into the future. Of course, the first step is acknowledging there is a problem and then scheduling a hearing test with a hearing care provider.

To decide if it’s time for a hearing test, consider the following scenarios and answer honestly!

Imagine you are in a business setting where you regularly meet with new people. Do you feel disadvantaged or even hesitant because you struggle to make out what people are saying? It might be you have the impression that people mumble more than they used to, but you are concerned about losing face if you ask them to speak more clearly or repeat themselves. This is a common problem for many people experiencing mild hearing loss.

Similarly, you may feel disadvantaged when talking to a group of people in a place with background noise. The others may seem able to converse normally, whereas you find yourself slipping behind while trying to follow the conversation. Because background noise competes for your attention, it can distract from the ability to hear clearly, which exaggerates any underlying issues you may have.

Think carefully about the last time you were at a station or a restaurant and if you felt the experience was more stressful than it should have been. Stress and tiredness can be indicators of impaired hearing, especially in noisy places, because it requires so much more concentration to make out what’s being said.

Another situation to watch out for is in communication in the home. It might be your partner accuses you of not listening or seeming in a world of your own. What your partner is taking as disinterest could actually be the result of you not hearing them because they are speaking when turned away from you.

Taken to an extreme this can cause tension and arguments in the house, so it’s worth being up front with your partner and asking them if they think your hearing is normal. It may be they’ve noticed you cranking up the volume on the radio, but felt too bashful to mention it. In which case raising the matter gives them a chance to be honest without hurting your feelings.

The important thing is to get a hearing test, even if the problem is mild. Not only can your audiologist advice if the use of a hearing device is necessary, but they can also suggest practical strategies for improved hearing in day-to-day life.