It’s not like you just wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. Hearing loss, especially when it’s related to aging, typically progresses in degrees. You might not realize it’s taking place immediately but some indicators do show up earlier.
The early symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. 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 capable of recognizing if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely detectable indicators that you may have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common sign that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may 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 tones are high, also.
2. You avoid phone conversations
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
- It’s probably just spam
You hate talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t hear 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 everyone mumbling?
It seems as if it’s no longer just the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems as if 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 dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial indications that your hearing is changing.
4. What?
It might not be until someone 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. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. What’s that ringing 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 prevalent symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
It’s important that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something may be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get an exam.
6. It’s not as fun attending the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many people are mumbling all at once. Also, being in loud places 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 simple as the AC kicking in or kids splashing and playing around the pool. And attempting to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re normally not this fatigued
Struggling to understand words is draining. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it does hear, so you are more tired than usual. Your other senses may even start to change. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your most recent eye test was good, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to keep turning the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to place the blame on your service provider or that old TV. When you’re experiencing hearing loss it’s difficult to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to cope with. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
The good thing is, if your hearing is failing, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
