Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most people, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is associated with aging. Some signs show up earlier, though, and you don’t realize there is a problem right away.
These initially developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Slowing down the development of hearing loss and its related health problems is a matter of early detection. However, you can’t recognize the signs if you don’t know what they are. Consider these eight barely detectable indicators that you might have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you talk to your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife talks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. 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 don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not answering:
- It’s probably just spam
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
Consider why you dislike talking on your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. You most likely have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
It seems like it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your partner, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everybody in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? How you hear words is changing. Mumbling or lost consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to detect you are 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?
This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to ignore it. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only happens in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure could be the cause.
If you’re noticing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they could be an indication that you’re having a health issue.
6. It’s not as enjoyable attending the neighborhood block party
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling all at once. It’s so much harder to understand what people are saying in noisy places. It becomes extremely difficult for you to hear anything when you’re around something as basic as the AC kicking in or youngsters splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more tired than usual
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more tired than usual because your brain has to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses may even begin to change. 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 most recent eye test was good, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep turning up the volume. When you’re experiencing hearing loss it’s difficult to hear dialog on your favorite shows. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. What about the other things in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep turning the volume up, then your hearing might be failing.
The good news is, all it takes to know for certain is a professional hearing assessment and if it turns out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get some of your hearing back.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve detected any of the above signs.