Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, especially when it’s caused by aging, typically progresses in degrees. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is an issue immediately.
These early developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Slowing down the development of hearing loss and its related health problems is a matter of early detection. However, you’re unable to detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. You might be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife talks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that deliver electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is not as clear to you because the pitch is higher. You might have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone calls
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- I get tons of spam calls – that’s probably what it is
You hate talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t hear what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. You most likely have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It seems as if it’s no longer just 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 probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. One of the first indications 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 might not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently the people you see every day like coworkers or family are the first to observe that you’re struggling to hear. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle sign, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. Tinnitus, the medical name for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure may be the cause.
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 enjoyable
Once again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. Also, being in noisy settings makes understanding what people say that much harder. Something as simple as kids playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And attempting to keep up with conversations is exhausting.
7. You’re usually not this exhausted
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. You feel more tired than usual because your brain needs to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses may even start 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 most recent eye exam was good, 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 need to keep turning the volume up. When you have hearing loss it’s hard to hear dialog on your favorite shows. 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. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
Luckily, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
Contact us today to make an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve noticed any of the above signs.
