It’s not like you simply wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, particularly when it is linked to the aging process. Some indicators show up earlier, though, and you don’t realize there is a problem immediately.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Recognizing them sooner is crucial to slow down the progression of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Consider these eight barely noticeable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe you can understand the cashier just fine, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical sign that the nerves that send messages to the brain are damaged (called sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is not as clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You may not be capable of hearing your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even higher pitched tones like 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
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer 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. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the problem.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It seems like it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everybody in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? The way you hear words is changing. 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. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It might not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to detect that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a disruption, people tend to disregard 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 instance, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be a symptom of high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or trauma.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many individuals are mumbling all at once. Also, being in loud places makes understanding what individuals say that much harder. 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 keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more worn out than usual
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work harder to process what it can hear, so you are more tired than normal. Your other senses might 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 normal, 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 on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. When you have hearing loss it’s difficult to hear dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. What about the other stuff in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing could be failing.
Luckily, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
Call us today to make an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve noticed any of the above signs.
