Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, especially when it’s caused by aging, generally advances in degrees. You might not detect it’s occurring right away but some signs do show up earlier.
These early developing symptoms progress very subtly. Identifying them sooner is crucial to delay the development of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. 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 detectable indicators.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can hear him fine, but when your wife talks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a typical sign that the nerves that send signals to the brain are damaged (called sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it’s unclear. You may have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not answering:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- It’s likely just spam
Consider why you dread talking on your phone. It will be a useful idea to get someone else to check the phone for you if the volume is at max and you still aren’t able to hear what the other person is saying. You probably have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everybody mumble these days?
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’re mumbling when they talk to you. 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 once did. 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 dropping off.
4. What?
It may not be until someone points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Very often the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to notice you are having a hard time hearing. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a disruption, 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 intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only occurs in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure could be the cause.
If you’re noticing these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for an exam because they may be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as enjoyable
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in noisy places. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as basic as the AC turning on or children splashing and playing around the pool. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more fatigued than normal
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it can hear, so you are more fatigued than normal. You might even experience differences in your other senses. 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 eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to have your ears assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep turning up the volume. When you have hearing loss it’s hard to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. 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. If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing could be failing.
The good news is, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing test and if you find out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.