It’s not like you simply wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. For most people, hearing loss happens in degrees, especially when it is linked to the aging process. You may not realize it’s taking place right away but some indicators do appear earlier.
These initially developing symptoms advance very subtly. Recognizing them sooner is essential to delay the progression of hearing loss or other health issues associated with aging. However, you can’t recognize the signs if you don’t know what they are. Consider these eight barely detectable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Perhaps you can understand the cashier just fine, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that distribute electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You may have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, also.
2. You avoid phone calls
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not answering:
- I get tons of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
- I’m just not used to this new phone yet
Consider why you dislike using your phone. It will be a useful 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. You probably have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It seems as if 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. It’s difficult to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. How you hear words is changing. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial indications that your hearing is changing.
4. What?
You may not even recognize that you can’t hear conversations anymore until someone points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Frequently, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle sign, but it is something people tend to ignore unless it’s distracting. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Triggers are a significant factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. Maybe, when you first get up in the morning is when you have the most noticeable ringing or buzzing. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure might 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 isn’t as enjoyable attending the neighborhood block party
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many people are mumbling all at once. It’s so much harder to make out what people are saying in loud places. It becomes extremely difficult for you to hear anything when you’re around something as basic as the AC kicking in or kids splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more tired than usual
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. You feel more fatigued than normal because your brain has to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses might even start to change. If your brain is using 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 ears assessed.
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 turning the volume up. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. How about the other things in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? 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 have your hearing tested.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to make an appointment.
