Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. For most people, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is linked to the aging process. You may not realize it’s happening immediately but some signs do show up earlier.
These early developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Recognizing them sooner is essential to delay the development of hearing loss or other health problems associated with aging. 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 signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Perhaps you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a common sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that distribute electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is not as clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You might have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, also.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
Consider why you dislike talking on your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t hear what is being said, let someone else test the phone for you. 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 as of late, 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 bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you once did. One of the first signs that something is going on with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are dropping off.
4. What?
It might not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Often, 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?
This sign is a bit 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 periodic because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, 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 important that you don’t ignore 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. Joining your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many people are mumbling all at once. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re around something as simple as the AC kicking in or youngsters splashing and playing around the pool. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You’re normally not this exhausted
Battling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more tired than normal because your brain has to work harder to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses might even begin to change. How much energy is left over 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 normal, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep turning the volume up. It can be difficult to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. The background music and sound effects are confusing dialogue, for example. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. 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 assessment and if you find out your hearing is failing, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
Give us a call today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve detected any of the above signs.
