Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most people, hearing loss progresses in degrees, particularly when it is related to aging. You may not realize it’s taking place right away but some indicators do show up earlier.
The early symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Recognizing them sooner is essential to slow down the development of hearing loss or other health problems associated with aging. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. Consider these eight barely noticeable indicators that you might have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people just fine but not others
Perhaps you can understand the cashier just fine, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that distribute electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is a higher pitch, and that’s why it’s unclear. You might have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those tones are high, too.
2. You avoid phone conversations
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- It’s probably just spam
- It’s a new phone, and I’m just not used to it yet
Consider why you dread talking on your phone. If you have the volume at max and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. If they can hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the problem.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but lately, the woman on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they are mumbling when they talk to you. It’s difficult to imagine that everyone in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. The way you hear words is changing. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial signs that your hearing is changing.
4. What?
It may not be until someone 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 you are struggling to hear. You should definitely pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to ignore it. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Triggers are a substantial factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be a sign of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
It’s essential that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something might be wrong, so you should make an appointment right away to get an exam.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable attending the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling at the same time. It’s so much harder 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, you always feel exhausted from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more worn out than usual
Struggling to understand words is draining. Your brain has to work harder to process what it does hear, so you are more fatigued than usual. You might even experience changes in your other senses. 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 eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your ears checked.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to constantly turn the volume up on your TV, it becomes all too easy to place the blame on your service provider or that out-dated TV. When you’re experiencing hearing loss it’s difficult to follow along with dialog on your favorite shows. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. How about the other things in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep cranking up the volume, then your hearing may be failing.
Luckily, if your hearing is failing, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
Contact us today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve detected any of the above signs.