It’s not like you simply wake up one day, and your hearing is gone. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is linked to the aging process. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t realize there is an issue immediately.
These early developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Identifying them sooner is crucial to slow down the progression of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely noticeable signs that you may have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can hear him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a typical indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You might have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones like the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- It’s most likely just spam
You dread talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. You probably have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
It seems as if it’s no longer just the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems like everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the likelihood of that? How you hear words is changing. One of the first signs that something is going on with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are dropping off.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It might not be until someone points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to detect you are struggling to hear. If somebody comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a disruption, people tend to disregard it. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Triggers are a substantial factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For instance, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be a sign of high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or trauma.
It’s crucial that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something may be wrong, so you should make an appointment as soon as possible to get checked out.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as enjoyable
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes extremely difficult for you to hear anything when you’re around something as simple as the AC kicking in or youngsters splashing and playing in the pool. And trying to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re normally not this worn out
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it can hear, so you are more fatigued than usual. Your other senses might even start to change. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is spending so much of its energy trying to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your hearing assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep turning the volume up. When you have hearing loss it’s hard to hear dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
The good thing is, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to schedule an appointment.