Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is linked to aging. You might not realize it’s taking place immediately but some indicators do show up earlier.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Delaying the development of hearing loss and its related health problems is a matter of early detection. However, you can’t detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. You may be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely noticeable signs.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe you can understand the cashier just fine, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical indication that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
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 become a problem. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not answering:
- It’s a brand new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
- It’s likely just spam
You dread talking on the phone, but why? It will be a good idea to get someone else to test the phone for you if the volume is at max and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. You most likely have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but lately, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they’re mumbling when they talk to you. If it seems as if everybody in your life is mumbling, you’re probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the likelihood of that? You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. One of the first indications that something is going on with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are dropping off.
4. What?
You might not even realize that you can’t hear conversations anymore until somebody 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 detect you are having a hard time hearing. If somebody comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle indication, but it is something people tend to ignore unless it’s disruptive. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only occurs in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure could be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t disregard 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. Joining your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as enjoyable
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. Also, being in noisy settings makes understanding what people say that much harder. Something as simple as youngsters playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it impossible to hear anything. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You’re usually not this fatigued
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. Your brain needs to work harder to process what it does hear, so you are more fatigued than normal. Your other senses might 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 eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your ears checked.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to keep turning the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. When you have hearing loss it’s difficult to hear dialog on your favorite shows. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. Your hearing may be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
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.
