Hearing loss can be a consequence of numerous things and is generally incredibly frustrating. There are some situations where hearing loss is caused by a more serious underlying health condition and isn’t simply the result of an injury or aging.
Watch out for these hearing loss red flags
Hearing loss will frequently throw up a variety of red flags indicating it’s time for a hearing exam. Here are a few of those red flags that should make you take notice.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
Even with a volume control setting, you may find it difficult to hear the person you are talking to on the telephone. If you are constantly turning the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing exam.
Difficulty following conversations
Even though getting lost during a conversation isn’t always an indication of hearing loss, it might be a sign of hearing loss if you regularly have a hard time processing the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time.
Family & neighbors are complaining about a loud TV
It can be difficult to hear television programs, particularly if music is combined with dialog. It’s worthwhile to know that turning the tv up louder doesn’t always clear up the sound. But it’s time to have your hearing checked if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you continuously need the volume on a very high setting.
Difficulty hearing in loud environments
It typically means you’re struggling to distinguish speech from background noise if hearing in a public place has become difficult. This is one of the most common complaints of individuals who are developing hearing loss.
You say “what” a lot
If someone is mumbling a few feet from you and you’re unable to hear them, that doesn’t automatically mean you have hearing loss. Still, it might be a red flag that you aren’t receiving and processing speech properly if the word “what” is the most used word in your vocabulary.
Failing to understand what people say
It can be an indication of high frequency hearing loss, often an awkward one, if you frequently misunderstand what people are saying. This type of hearing loss makes it difficult to discern speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test as soon as possible. Here’s the good news, hearing testing is simple and the stigma of hearing loss is a thing of the past so there’s no reason to continue to have difficulty hearing.
