It isn’t like you just wake up one day, and your hearing is gone. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is associated with the aging process. You might not recognize it’s occurring immediately but some signs do appear earlier.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Recognizing them sooner is essential to delay the progression of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely noticeable signs that you may have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Perhaps you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a typical indication that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (called sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is less clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You might not be capable of hearing your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even higher pitched tones like the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
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 most likely just spam
- It’s a brand new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
Consider why you dread using your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend 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 just the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your spouse, and even your bartender. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. One of the first signs that something is happening with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are dropping off.
4. What?
It might not be until someone points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Very often the people you see every day like coworkers or family are the first to detect 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 people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. Tinnitus, the medical name for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. Maybe, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most significant ringing or buzzing. Or, it could also be a symptom of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
It’s crucial that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something might be wrong, so you should make an appointment right away to get an exam.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as fun
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what people say that much harder. It becomes extremely difficult for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as basic as the AC turning on or kids splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You’re normally not this worn out
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. Your brain needs to work overtime to process what it does hear, so you are more fatigued than usual. You may even experience differences in your other senses. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left over for your eyesight or balance? 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 difficult to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. What about the other stuff in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking up the volume, then your hearing may be failing.
The good thing is, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
Contact us today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve detected any of the above signs.