Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most people, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is linked to aging. You may not recognize it’s happening immediately but some signs do show up earlier.
These initially developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Slowing down the progression of hearing loss and its associated health problems is a matter of early detection. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. You may be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely detectable signs.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Perhaps you can understand the cashier just fine, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a common indication that the nerves that send signals to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones like the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone calls
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
You hate talking on the phone, but why? It will be a good idea to get someone else to test the phone for you if the volume is at max and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. You most likely have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
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 are mumbling when they talk to you. It’s difficult to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has poor enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. The way you hear words is changing. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first indications that your hearing is changing.
4. What?
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently the people you see every day like coworkers or family are the first to detect you are struggling to hear. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to ignore it. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For example, perhaps 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.
It’s crucial that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something may be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get checked out.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable attending the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling all at once. It’s so much harder to understand what people are saying in noisy settings. Something as basic as youngsters playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You feel more worn out than normal
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it can hear, so you are more fatigued than normal. Your other senses may even start to change. If your brain is utilizing 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your last eye test was good, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why is this TV volume so low?
When you have to keep turning the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that out-dated TV. When you’re experiencing hearing loss it’s hard to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. How about the other things in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
The good news is, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing test and if it turns out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get some of your hearing back.
Call us today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve experienced any of the above signs.