Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, particularly when it’s related to aging, usually advances in degrees. You may not recognize it’s occurring right away but some indicators do show up earlier.
These initially developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Slowing down the development of hearing loss and its related health challenges is a matter of early detection. However, you’re unable to detect the signs if you have no clue what they are. You may be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you talk with your brother, you can hear him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common sign that the nerves that transmit signals to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even higher pitched tones like the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those tones are high, too.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not picking it up:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- It’s probably just spam
You dread talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t hear what is being said, let someone else 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 everybody 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 lady, your spouse, and even your bartender. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has poor enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. The way you hear words is changing. Mumbling or lost consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial signs 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 realize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to observe you are having a hard time hearing. You should definitely pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is a bit 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.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only occurs in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something might be wrong, so you should make an appointment right away to get checked out.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as fun
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling all at once. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as basic as the AC turning on or youngsters splashing and playing around the pool. And trying to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re normally not this exhausted
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. You feel more fatigued than normal because your brain has to work harder to try and process what it’s attempting to hear. You may even experience differences in your other senses. If your brain is utilizing 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left over for your eyesight or balance? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your hearing checked.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep cranking up the volume. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have 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 sure is a professional hearing assessment and if you find out your hearing is failing, hearing aids will help you get some of your hearing back.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to schedule an appointment.