It’s not like you simply wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. For most people, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is linked to aging. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t realize there is an issue immediately.
The early symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Delaying the development of hearing loss and its associated health challenges is a matter of early detection. However, you can’t detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. Contemplate these eight barely detectable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people just fine but not others
Perhaps you can hear the cashier just fine, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You might have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone conversations
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 new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
You hate talking on the phone, but why? It will be a good idea to get someone else to check the phone for you if the volume is at max and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. If they can hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are probably the issue.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
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 partner, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the likelihood of that? You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. Mumbling or lost consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first indications that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It may not be until someone points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle indication, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s disruptive. Tinnitus, the medical name for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. Maybe, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most pronounced ringing or buzzing. Or, it could also be a sign of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
It’s important that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something might be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to get checked out.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as enjoyable
Again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what people say that much harder. Something as basic as children playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more fatigued than normal
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more fatigued than usual because your brain has to work overtime to try and process what it’s attempting to hear. You may even notice differences in your other senses. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your last eye test was good, then the next thing to get checked is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to keep turning the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. It can be hard to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to cope with. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for certain is a professional hearing assessment and if you find out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to make an appointment.