It isn’t like you simply wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. For most individuals, hearing loss happens in degrees, especially when it is associated with aging. Some signs show up earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is a problem right away.
These initially developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Delaying the progression of hearing loss and its related health problems is a matter of early detection. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely noticeable indicators that you might have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Perhaps you can understand the cashier perfectly, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication that the nerves that transmit signals to the brain are damaged (called sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it’s unclear. You might have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those tones are high, too.
2. You avoid phone calls
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- It’s a brand new phone, and I’m simply not used to it yet
- It’s most likely just spam
You dread talking on the phone, but why? 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. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the problem.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It seems as if it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems like everybody in your life is mumbling, you’re probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability 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 indications that your hearing is going through changes.
4. What?
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to notice you are developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle sign, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a prevalent symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. Perhaps, when you first get up in the morning is when you have the most noticeable ringing or buzzing. Or, it could also be an indication of high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or trauma.
It’s essential that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something might be wrong, so you should make an appointment as soon as possible to get checked out.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as enjoyable
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling all at once. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re around something as basic as the AC turning on or children splashing and playing in the pool. And trying to keep up with conversations is tedious.
7. You’re usually not this fatigued
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it does hear, so you are more tired than normal. You may even experience changes in your other senses. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for instance, 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 ears 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 cranking the volume up. It can be hard to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to cope with. Your hearing may be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
Fortunately, 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 some of your hearing back.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to schedule an appointment.