Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, particularly when it’s related to aging, generally progresses in degrees. Some signs appear earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is a problem immediately.
These initially developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Slowing down the development of hearing loss and its associated health challenges is a matter of early detection. However, you can’t detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. You may be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely noticeable signs.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe you can understand the cashier perfectly, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You might have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those tones are high, as well.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not picking it up:
- It’s likely just spam
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
Consider why you dread talking on 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 most likely have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
It seems like it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your partner, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everyone 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. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It might not be until somebody 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 somebody comments on it, you should pay attention.
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. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For instance, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only happens in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
If you’re noticing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they might be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as enjoyable
Once again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. Something as simple as children playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And attempting to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You feel more tired than normal
Battling to understand words is draining. You feel more tired than usual because your brain has to work harder to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses may even start to change. How much energy is left over for eyesight, for example, if your brain is using so much of its energy attempting to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to have your hearing assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to constantly turn the volume up on your TV, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that out-dated TV. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
Luckily, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve detected any of the above signs.