It isn’t like you simply wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. Hearing loss, particularly when it’s associated with aging, generally advances in degrees. Some signs show up earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is a problem immediately.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Delaying the progression of hearing loss and its associated health problems is a matter of early detection. However, you’re unable to recognize the signs if you don’t know what they are. Contemplate these eight barely detectable indicators that you may have hearing loss.
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 muddled. It’s a typical sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, also.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you are inclined to make excuses for not picking it up:
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
- It’s most likely just spam
Contemplate why you dislike using your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t hear what is being said, let someone else test the phone for you. 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 woman on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they are mumbling when they talk to you. If it seems like everybody in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely 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 happening with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are getting lost.
4. What?
It might not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Often, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to disregard it. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Triggers are a substantial factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. For example, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only happens in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure may be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something could be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get an exam.
6. It’s not as enjoyable attending the neighborhood block party
Once again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in loud settings. 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 in the pool. And attempting to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re normally not this fatigued
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more fatigued than usual because your brain has to work harder to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses might even begin to change. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for example, if your brain is spending so much of its energy attempting to hear and understand words? If your last eye exam was normal, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep cranking up the volume. 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. How about the other stuff in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing might be failing.
Luckily, 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 schedule an appointment.