Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is associated with aging. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is an issue right away.
These early developing symptoms progress very subtly. Identifying them sooner is crucial to slow down the progression of hearing loss or other health problems related to aging. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. You may be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely noticeable signs.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe you can hear the cashier just fine, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a typical sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that deliver electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is not as clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You may 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 tones are high, as well.
2. You avoid phone conversations
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not picking it up:
- It’s likely just spam
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
Consider why you dislike using your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t understand what is being said, let someone else test the phone for you. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the issue.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but lately, the woman on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your partner all seem like they’re mumbling when they talk to you. If it seems as if everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? The way you hear words is changing. Mumbling or lost consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first indications that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
You may not even realize that you’re unable to hear conversations anymore until somebody points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Frequently, the first people to detect you are developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to ignore it. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. Perhaps, when you first get up in the morning is when you have the most pronounced ringing or buzzing. Or, it could also be a symptom of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
If you’re noticing these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for an exam because they might be a sign that you’re having a health issue.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable going to the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many people are mumbling at the same time. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as basic as the AC kicking in or youngsters splashing and playing around the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You’re usually not this exhausted
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more tired than usual because your brain needs to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. You might even experience differences in your other senses. How much energy is left for eyesight, for example, if your brain is spending 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 can’t I hear this TV?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep turning the volume up. When you’re experiencing hearing loss it’s hard to hear dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are confusing dialogue, for example. How about the other things in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing might be failing.
The good news is, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing test and if it turns out your hearing is failing, 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 detected any of the above signs.