Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is related to aging. Some indicators show up earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is an issue right away.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Identifying them sooner is essential to slow down the progression of hearing loss or other health issues connected to aging. However, you can’t detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. Contemplate these eight barely detectable indicators that you might have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You may not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone conversations
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not picking it up:
- I get tons of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
- It’s a brand new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
You dread talking on the phone, but why? 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 problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but as of late, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they are mumbling when they talk to you. If it seems like everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? The way you hear words is changing. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is going through changes.
4. What?
You might not even realize that you can’t hear conversations anymore until someone points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Very often the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to observe that you’re having a hard time hearing. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle indication, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure could be the cause.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. It’s not as enjoyable attending the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. It’s so much harder to make out what people are saying in noisy settings. Something as simple as youngsters playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And attempting to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You feel more worn out than usual
Battling to understand words is draining. You feel more fatigued than usual because your brain needs to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses might even begin to change. How much energy is left for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is spending so much of its energy attempting to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to have your ears checked.
8. Why is this TV volume so low?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep cranking the volume up. When you have hearing loss it’s difficult to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. How about the other things in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking up the volume, then your hearing could be failing.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for certain is a professional hearing exam 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 make an appointment.