Hearing loss usually begins subtly. You might dismiss your need for people to repeat themselves as them mumbling or background noise. But when this occurs, you begin to think that you may be starting to develop hearing loss. It will be easier to recognize whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that go along with hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss makes the world sound softer
For many people, conductive hearing loss manifests as sounds that seem softer than they used to. You might not even recognize that you’ve been cranking the volume of the television up or that your friends and family frequently ask you to “speak up”.
Here are a few things you might hear:
- Trouble hearing in noisy settings, where background noise drowns out softer sounds
- The volume of sounds seem lower than before
- The need for others to speak louder
Conductive hearing loss often makes everyday sounds seem far off or muffled.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, not only are sounds quieter, but they can also become distorted. Conversations may feel challenging as you struggle to differentiate between similar sounds.
What you may hear:
- Difficulty distinguishing vowels from consonants, leading to misunderstandings
- The experience of hearing some sounds while others fade into the background
- Unclear or distorted speech
This distortion can create frustrating communication barriers, where you think you comprehend what’s being said but misconstrue key details.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Tinnitus presents a unique auditory experience that can come with hearing loss. It can present as consistent or intermittent sounds that overlap with outside noises.
What you might hear:
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
- Buzzing or static sounds
- Internal hissing or ringing sounds in your ears
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in lots of ways and can significantly impact quality of life.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss normally progresses slowly, and being conscious of sounds that come along with it is crucial for early treatment. It’s probably time to make an appointment for a hearing consultation if you find yourself having trouble following along with conversations or needing people to frequently repeat what they said.
When is it time for a hearing exam?
It’s important to make an appointment with us for a hearing test if you are noticing tinnitus symptoms or any symptoms of hearing loss. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and supply you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be significantly improved by knowing what hearing loss sounds like. The health of your hearing is important so don’t wait to get the help you need.
Contact us right away for a consultation.
