It’s not like you just wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. For most individuals, hearing loss progresses in degrees, particularly when it is associated with the aging process. Some signs show up earlier, though, and you don’t detect there is a problem immediately.
These early developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Slowing down the progression of hearing loss and its related health problems is a matter of early detection. However, you can’t detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. You might be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. You hear some people just fine but not others
Maybe you can hear the cashier just fine, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You might not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can become a problem. Those tones are high, as well.
2. You avoid phone conversations
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not picking it up:
- I’m simply not used to this new phone yet
- It’s probably just spam
Contemplate why you dislike using your phone. If you have the volume all the way up and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the issue.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
It seems as if it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your partner, 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? How you hear words is changing. 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 dropping off.
4. What?
You might not even realize that you’re unable to hear conversations anymore until somebody points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Very often the people you see on a daily basis like coworkers or family are the first to notice that you’re struggling to hear. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle indication, but it is something individuals tend to ignore unless it’s distracting. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Triggers are a significant factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. Maybe, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most pronounced ringing or buzzing. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure may be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t disregard these tinnitus symptoms because it’s a sign that something might be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to get an exam.
6. It isn’t as fun attending the neighborhood get-together
Again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in loud places. Something as simple as children playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC coming on you makes it impossible to hear anything. And attempting to focus in on conversations is exhausting.
7. You feel more worn out than normal
Battling to understand words is draining. You feel more fatigued than usual because your brain needs to work harder to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. You may even experience differences in your other senses. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left over for your eyesight or balance? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your hearing assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep cranking up the volume. 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. What about the other stuff in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
The good news is all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing test and if it turns out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal. Find a provider near you today!
