Hearing loss can be brought on by numerous things and is generally incredibly aggravating. Even though hearing loss is usually due to age or an injury, in some circumstances, hearing loss might be a symptom of a more severe root medical condition.
Watch out for these hearing loss red flags
There are a number of red flags that might be a sign of hearing loss and that it’s time to schedule a hearing test appointment. Pay attention if any of these red flags manifest.
Trouble hearing on the telephone
Even with a volume control setting, you might find it hard to hear the individual you are talking to on the telephone. If you are continually turning the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you need to make an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing exam.
Difficulty following conversations
Even though getting lost when you’re having a conversation isn’t always a sign of hearing loss, it may be a sign of hearing loss if you regularly have trouble processing the conversation when two or more people are talking simultaneously.
Neighbors and family members are complaining about a loud TV
Following along with tv shows, especially when there’s dialog and music, can be a challenge. We need to recognize that the sound doesn’t automatically get clearer when you turn the volume up. But if you constantly need the tv turned up to a high volume that is uncomfortable for other people in the room or if your neighbors are hearing your television, it is time to get your hearing checked.
Difficulty hearing in loud environments
If you are in a public location and the background sound makes it hard to hear the others with you, it typically means you struggle to mask background noise and focus on speech. This is one of the most common complaints of people who are experiencing hearing loss.
You keep asking people what they said
If somebody is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t automatically mean you have hearing loss. However, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it might be a red flag that you aren’t getting sound signals clearly in order to process speech correctly.
Failing to understand what people say
It can be a sign of high frequency hearing loss, often an embarrassing one, if you frequently misunderstand what people are saying. This means you are not capable of discerning the sounds of speech.
If you are experiencing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam as soon as you can. Fortunately, the stigma that was once related to hearing loss has nearly vanished, the exam is easy, and with the modern developments in hearing aid technologies, there’s no reason for you to continue to suffer with hearing loss.