Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is associated with aging. You may not realize it’s occurring right away but some signs do show up earlier.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Delaying the progression of hearing loss and its associated health challenges is a matter of early detection. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. You might be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely noticeable indicators.
1. You hear some people just fine but not others
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can hear 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 deliver electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You may not be capable of hearing 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 tones are high, as well.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- It’s likely just spam
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
Consider why you dislike using your phone. If you have the volume at max and can’t understand 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 is everybody mumbling?
It seems like it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the likelihood of that? You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. 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. Very often the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to observe that you’re struggling to hear. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle sign, but it is something individuals tend to ignore unless it’s disruptive. Tinnitus, the medical name for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For example, 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.
It’s crucial that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something could be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get checked out.
6. It’s not as enjoyable attending the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling all at once. Also, being in noisy settings makes understanding what people say that much harder. It becomes impossible 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 exhausted from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You’re usually not this worn out
Battling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more tired than normal because your brain has to work harder to try and process what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses may even start to change. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is using so much of its energy attempting 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?
When you have to constantly turn the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to place the blame on your service provider or that out-dated TV. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. What about the other stuff in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
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 back to normal.
Give us a call today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve noticed any of the above signs.
