The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, or early signs of hearing loss can be significant and come about suddenly. Here are 8 common signs that you may want to be on the lookout for that could indicate that you or someone you know has hearing loss.
You have trouble hearing on the telephone. Mobile and landline phones are equipped with a volume control setting, so you might not have trouble hearing your friend, co-worker or client because you’ve turned up the volume to the highest level. Check the volume setting, and if you find yourself inching the volume up louder and louder, you may have hearing loss.- You have trouble following a conversation when people are talking at the same time. Our ability to process multiple incoming and competing signals deteriorates over time, so being a little lost in conversation occasionally isn’t always a sign of hearing loss. However, if you’re at a work meeting or eating dinner with family, and you frequently have a hard time keeping up when two or more people talk at the same time, you may have a hearing loss.
-
Others complain that your TV is too loud. Television programs can be hard to follow, particularly during times when music is drowning out dialogue. Turning the TV up louder doesn’t always help make the sound clearer. If you consistently need the TV turned up so loud that it’s uncomfortable for others in the room, it’s probably a good idea to get a hearing test. - You’re tired from straining to hear conversations. Constantly straining to hear and follow conversation is mentally and physically fatiguing. Doing so can make you feel exhausted and worn out after even a normal day. So, if a typical day of conversing with coworkers, friends and family leaves you with a headache or feeling physically fatigued, you may have a hearing loss.
-
You have trouble hearing in noisy environments. People with hearing loss often have problems masking out background noise and focusing on speech. If you have a hard time hearing others when you go out to dinner or meet friends at a bar or busy coffee shop, it could be time for a hearing evaluation. - You find yourself asking people to repeat what they said a lot. If “what?” is becoming the most commonly used word in your vocabulary, it could mean you aren’t getting the sound signals you need to process speech correctly. Asking people to repeat what they said is a very common sign of hearing loss.
- You misunderstand what people say. Misunderstanding what someone said often stems from the beginnings of high frequency hearing loss that affect our ability to discern the sounds of speech. It can be frustrating and embarrassing and if it happens a lot, it’s probably a good idea to schedule a hearing evaluation.
-
You have trouble hearing children and women. Hearing loss within a specific frequency range is common, and with age, you’re more likely to experience hearing loss in the high frequencies. Since women and children speak at higher pitches or frequencies, it’s often more difficult to hear what your wife, daughter or grandchild is saying to you.
What Can You Do?
People with perfectly normal hearing often experience times where they have trouble understanding someone or hearing in challenging environments; however, if you frequently recognize one or more of these common signs, we recommend getting a baseline hearing test as soon as possible. Hearing loss is well-understood and like any medical condition, the sooner you address it the better.
Contact us today for a hearing evaluation with one of our doctors of Audiology and let us help you to get back to hearing your best!