When was the last time you had a hearing test? If it has been years, rather than months, it may be a good idea to get in touch with an audiologist and book a test. You may assume that everything is fine, but if you’ve started to turn up the volume on the TV or the radio or you’re asking people to repeat themselves, you may be experiencing early signs of hearing loss. If you’re unsure whether or not to book a hearing test, here are three good reasons to pick up the phone.

1. Hearing loss can be gradual

It’s very uncommon to be able to hear perfectly one day and to lose your hearing the next. Hearing loss tends to occur gradually, and this means that many of us don’t really notice that we’re struggling to hear until there has been significant deterioration. Regular hearing tests can help to identify potential issues at an early stage. If tests do highlight hearing loss, your audiologist can suggest treatment options to improve your hearing. It’s often best to intervene early. If you’re having trouble hearing, don’t ignore it and hope that your hearing will bounce back to normal.

2. Hearing loss can be treated

If you’re having trouble hearing, you may assume that there’s nothing that can be done. This is not the case. Hearing loss can occur for many different reasons, and often, the causes are treatable. If you’ve got an infection, have excessive earwax in the ear canal or you’ve started to experience tinnitus, there are treatment options available. Treatment can help to alleviate symptoms and, hopefully, improve your hearing. If there is no obvious underlying cause, hearing aids may provide a solution. Hearing aids amplify sound, and they can have an incredibly positive impact on your quality of life.

3. Hearing tests are quick and painless

For many people, the idea of going to see a health professional of any kind is daunting. Tests and assessments are feared by many, and it’s also common to be anxious about receiving results. If you’re scared of having a hearing test, don’t be. These tests are quick and painless. You won’t feel any discomfort at all during the assessment process, and your audiologist will do everything possible to help you stay calm. You’ll simply be asked to listen to and respond to different sounds, tones, and noises to see how well you can hear. The results of a hearing test can help your audiologist determine the best treatment options for you. If you do have hearing loss, treatment can make an incredibly positive difference to your health and wellbeing.

Are you thinking about arranging a hearing test? If you haven’t had your hearing assessed for a long time or you’ve started to struggle with your hearing, it’s wise to get in touch with your audiologist. Hearing tests are painless, they don’t take long, and a simple appointment could make a massive difference to the way you live your life.