Do you take your sense for granted? If so, you are in very good company. However, it’s reasonable to suggest that of all our senses, it’s our hearing that we take most for granted. We all go to visit our opticians to ensure we can see – at least twice a year. Yet when it comes to our hearing, we tend to not bother.

The trouble is that modern life exposes all of us to vast levels of noise that the human ear is not designed to hear. From the roar of construction machines on building sites to the piercing volumes heart at rock concerts, excessive noise surrounds us. SO even if we think our ears are on perfect condition, they might not be.

The big question is, what should you be looking for with regards to the hearing issues you might be experiencing problems? And should you go pay your audiologist a visit? The reality is that most people lose their hearing at a barely noticeable level, and the small, incremental changes are not realized. With this in mind, here are some of the common signs that could be telling you to test your hearing with an appointment with your audiologist.

Sudden hearing loss

Hearing loss tends to happen over a number of years – especially when it is related to your age. However, if you have been exposed to a sudden loud noise close by or had an accident or incident that has affected your hearing in any way, it’s important to see an audiologist. It could even be the result of an illness caused by your medication – or even from a change of air pressure (in an airplane, for example). Either way, given your ears are very delicate in design, any problem that occurs with should be checked out by an audiologist as soon as possible.

Hearing loss over time

As we discussed in the intro, hearing loss can happen over time, and at a barely noticeable rate. But there are some key signs that will tell you if your hearing is struggling. If you find yourself asking people to speak up more often than normal, or have noticed you are listening to the TV at a high volume, you could be having a problem. Listen out for people with high-pitched voices, such as women and small children, too. Are you hearing them OK or missing out on the higher frequencies? Age-related hearing loss is very common and the reality is that one in three people over 65 will get it at some point. It’s vital that you see an audiologist to run some tests if you have the slightest suspicion your hearing is on the wane.

Ear illness

The vast majority of ear infections, blockages or pains will go away on a natural basis over time. However, if they keep reoccurring or you have conditions like tinnitus or vertigo, it could be a problem with your ear health. It’s a good idea to get help even if you know the problem is an earwax blockage. Your ear is incredibly delicate, and it’s very difficult to reduce the impacted wax without professional help – you could cause great damage – possibly permanent – to your eardrum.

If you have any type of ear problem, always see your audiologist. They will be able to suggest the right strategies and tools to help and improve your overall ear health.