What to do if you have suspected hearing loss
Suspected hearing loss? Here's what to do
If you've recently found yourself in a crowd of people but unable to hear much of what people are saying, then you may be in need of a hearing test. Maybe you're turning the TV up to Max volume and you're still struggling to hear above a mumble. Did you know that there are plenty of other people out there who have some degree of hearing loss?
The problem with hearing loss is that sometimes it's not instant. That means that over time it gradually decreases. So by the time you do notice it, it can be quite severe. Hearing loss is obviously more prevalent in older people, but it can occur at any age and for any reason because not all hearing loss is to do with loud noise. There could be medical conditions, there could be other circumstances involved from your workplace that could be causing hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can have a significant consequence in your life, and so it's important to know what to do if you suspect you are losing your hearing.
Signs of hearing loss
Understanding the signs of hearing loss can help you to learn what to do next. Some of the signs include:
Feeling like you need subtitles or to look at somebody's mouth when they're speaking to you?
Asking people to repeat themselves.
Turning the TV or your music up as loud as possible just to be able to hear it at a regular level.
Others are mentioning it to you that they are speaking to you but you didn't hear them.
You're avoiding social gatherings because it's too hard to hear in a crowd.
If you've noticed that you are dealing with any of these signs, then getting a hearing test is the best thing that you can do. There are plenty of options for hearing tests, both with audiologists and DIY ones that you can do online, but should you try this? Probably not. The best thing that you should be doing is booking an appointment with an audiologist and having your hearing professionally checked. But what does that involve?
The exact tests that are involved in a hearing assessment will really depend on the audiologist or the hearing care professional that you use. It also depends on what's clinically appropriate in your specific case.
Because hearing tests are so individual, generally it starts with a discussion about your hearing, what you've noticed, any family history of hearing loss, any history of noise and your general health. This can give your audiologist an idea about the risk factors that do affect your hearing loss.
They will then check for blockages in your ears, check your outer ear health, and finally figure out whether or not there are any issues with the size and shape of your ear. The tests will depend on the circumstances, but hearing tests where you press a button with headphones on when you to indicate a sound or when you repeat back words or sentences are usually the first port of call.
Booking that appointment in as soon as possible, as soon as you notice any hearing loss, is important for your future health.
