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 the aging process. Some signs appear earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is a problem right away.
These early developing symptoms progress very subtly. Identifying them sooner is essential to delay the development of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. However, you can’t detect the signs if you have no clue what they are. You may be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely noticeable signs.
1. Some 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 indication that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is not as clear to you because the pitch is higher. You might not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can become a problem. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- It’s probably just spam
Consider why you dislike using your phone. It will be a good idea to get someone else to check the phone for you if the volume is all the way up and you still aren’t able to hear what the other person is saying. You most likely have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
It used to be just the kids, but as of late, the woman on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they’re mumbling when they talk to you. It’s difficult to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a strong indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you once did. 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 recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to detect that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a disruption, people tend to disregard it. A prevalent 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, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only occurs in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be a sign of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
Once again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in noisy settings. Something as basic as kids playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC coming on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And trying to focus in on conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re usually not this fatigued
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. You feel more tired than normal because your brain needs to work overtime to try and process what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses may even begin to change. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is spending so much of its energy trying to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to have your hearing assessed.
8. Why is this TV volume so low?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep turning up the volume. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. The background music and sound effects are confusing dialogue, for example. How about the other things in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing might be failing.
Luckily, if your hearing is failing, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.