It isn’t like you simply wake up one day, and your hearing is gone. For most individuals, hearing loss happens in degrees, especially when it is related to aging. You may not detect it’s occurring immediately but some signs do show up earlier.
These initially developing symptoms advance very subtly. Delaying the progression of hearing loss and its associated health problems is a matter of early detection. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. You may be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You might have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can become a problem. Those tones are high, too.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not answering:
- It’s a new phone, and I’m simply not used to it yet
- I get tons of spam calls – that’s probably what it is
Consider why you dislike using your phone. It will be a good idea to get someone else to test the phone for you if the volume is all the way up and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. 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 lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they’re mumbling when they talk to you. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has poor enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. You’re not hearing words the same as you once did. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial signs that your hearing is changing.
4. What?
You might not even realize that you’re unable to hear conversations anymore until somebody points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Often, the first people to notice you are developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds 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 prevalent symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. Maybe, when you first get up in the morning is when you have the most pronounced ringing or buzzing. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
It’s crucial that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something might be wrong, so you should make an appointment right away to get checked out.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable going to the neighborhood block party
Once again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what people say that much harder. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re around something as basic as the AC kicking in or kids splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You’re normally not this worn out
Struggling to understand words is draining. You feel more tired than usual because your brain needs to work harder to try and process what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses may even begin to change. How much energy is left for eyesight, for example, if your brain is spending so much of its energy trying to hear and understand words? If your last eye test was good, then the next thing to get checked is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to keep turning the volume up on your TV, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. When you have hearing loss it’s hard to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. How about the other stuff in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep turning up the volume, then your hearing may be failing.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for certain is a professional hearing exam and if it turns out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to make an appointment.