7 Signs It's Time to Get Your Hearing Checked in 2026

Have you found yourself turning up the TV lately? Or maybe your spouse mentioned you've been saying "what?" more often. If you’ve experienced either of those, you're not alone, and you might be noticing the early signs of hearing loss.

The new year is a natural time to think about health goals: exercise routines, better nutrition, and regular checkups. But there's one key area that often gets overlooked: hearing. Unlike a twisted ankle or sudden illness, hearing loss doesn't announce itself dramatically. It sneaks up so gradually that many people don't even realize what they're missing until they've been missing it for years.

Here's what we know: hearing affects everything. It shapes how connected you feel to the people around you, how confident you are in conversations, and even how your brain stays sharp over time. If you've been wondering whether your hearing might be changing, here are seven signs that it may be time for a professional hearing evaluation.

1. You Often Ask People to Repeat Themselves

If you find yourself saying “What did you say?” or “Can you repeat that?” more than you used to, you're not alone. This happens especially when people speak softly or turn away mid-sentence. It's easy to assume that people are just mumbling, but the real issue is that your brain isn't receiving a clean signal from your ears. Over time, this pattern can become frustrating for everyone involved, and it's usually a sign that something has shifted.

2. Conversations in Background Noise Feel Exhausting

Restaurants, family gatherings, and holiday parties are supposed to be enjoyable, but when you have hearing loss, they can become overwhelming. You may hear that people are talking, but understanding what they're actually saying feels like work. That's because hearing loss often affects the high-pitched sounds first, and those are where the consonants live. Consonants are what help you tell the difference between "fine" and "nine." Without them, speech becomes harder to decode. If you feel worn out after being in noisy places or find yourself avoiding those places altogether, your ears are likely working much harder than they should.

3. You Need the TV or Radio Louder Than Everyone Else

One of the most common signs that your hearing is changing is the need for more volume to feel comfortable. If your spouse or family members complain that the TV is too loud, but it sounds perfectly normal to you, that's your hearing asking for help. Many people don't even notice how much louder they've been setting the volume because the change happens so gradually. What felt loud a few years ago now sounds just right to you. To everyone else in the room, it's blaring. 

4. You Avoid Social Situations You Used to Enjoy

When hearing becomes difficult, it's natural to start pulling back. You might stop going out to dinner with friends, skip group events, or feel anxious in settings where you used to feel perfectly comfortable. This isn't because you suddenly don't like people anymore. It's because struggling to hear is tiring and uncomfortable. Nobody wants to feel left out or embarrassed. Unfortunately, this kind of withdrawal can lead to loneliness, low mood, and even memory problems when it continues over time.

5. You Have Ringing, Buzzing, or Hissing in Your Ears

Ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus, is very common and often goes hand in hand with hearing loss. It might sound like a high-pitched tone, buzzing, hissing, or static. Some people notice it mostly at night when everything else is quiet. While tinnitus doesn't always mean hearing loss, the two frequently occur together, and it's worth having both checked if you're experiencing persistent sounds that no one else can hear.

6. You Feel Mentally Drained After Conversations

If a simple phone call or a conversation with a friend leaves you feeling tired or foggy, your brain may be working overtime. When your ears don't send clear sound signals, your brain has to fill in the gaps based on context clues. That constant guessing takes real energy. Many people describe feeling exhausted after talking with loved ones without realizing their hearing is the underlying cause. It's not the conversation that's draining. It's the effort required to follow it.

7. Loved Ones Have Mentioned Your Hearing

Often, family members notice hearing changes before we do. If your spouse, children, or friends have gently pointed out that you missed part of a conversation, asked you to get your hearing checked, or mentioned that they have to repeat themselves often, it's worth listening to them. They're not criticizing you. They're concerned and want you to stay connected and involved in the moments that matter.

What to Do Next

If any of these signs sound familiar, the best thing you can do is schedule a professional hearing evaluation. It's simple, comfortable, and gives you real answers about what's happening with your hearing. Even if your hearing loss is mild, a baseline test now gives you something to compare against over time, which helps catch changes early.

At The Hearing Solution, we help patients hear more clearly, stay engaged with their families, and feel confident in everyday life. This year, give yourself the gift of better hearing.

Interested in learning more? Attend one of our regular hearing solution events to learn more about our unique approach to hearing loss or give us a call at 916-646-2471.