Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, especially when it’s caused by aging, typically advances in degrees. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is an issue right away.
These initially developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Delaying the development of hearing loss and its related health challenges is a matter of early detection. However, you’re unable to recognize the signs if you have no clue what they are. Consider these eight barely detectable signs that you may have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people just fine but not others
Maybe when you talk to your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife talks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common sign that the nerves that send signals to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You may not be capable of hearing your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, too.
2. You avoid phone calls
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not answering:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s probably what it is
Consider why you dislike talking on your phone. 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 probably 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 partner all seem like they’re mumbling when they speak with you. It’s difficult 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 happening with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are getting lost.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Very often the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to observe that you’re struggling to hear. If somebody 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 distraction, people tend to ignore it. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Triggers are a significant factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only occurs in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be a sign of high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or trauma.
It’s crucial that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something might be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get checked out.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
Once again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. It’s so much harder to understand what people are saying in loud settings. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as basic as the AC kicking in or kids splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You’re normally not this exhausted
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. Your brain needs to work harder to process what it can hear, so you are more tired than normal. Your other senses may even begin to change. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your last eye exam was good, then the next thing to get checked is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to constantly turn the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to place the blame on your service provider or that out-dated TV. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. How about the other stuff in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking up the volume, then your hearing could be failing.
The good thing is, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve detected any of the above signs.