It’s not like you just wake up one day, and your hearing is gone. For most people, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is associated with aging. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t detect there is a problem right away.
These initially developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Delaying the progression of hearing loss and its related health challenges is a matter of early detection. However, you’re unable to detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. Consider these eight barely noticeable indicators that you might have hearing loss.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe 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 deliver electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it’s unclear. You may have the same problem with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, as well.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- It’s a new phone, and I’m simply not used to it yet
- It’s most likely just spam
Contemplate why you dread talking on your phone. It will be a good idea to get someone else to test the phone for you if the volume is all the way up and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. You most likely have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It seems as if it’s no longer just the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news lady, your partner, and even your bartender. It’s difficult to imagine that everyone in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
You may not even recognize that you can’t hear conversations anymore until someone points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Often, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle sign, but it is something individuals tend to ignore unless it’s distracting. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. For instance, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory issues, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
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. Joining your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
Once again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what people say that much harder. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as simple as the AC turning on or youngsters splashing and playing around the pool. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You’re usually not this fatigued
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more fatigued than normal because your brain needs to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses might even start to change. How much energy is left for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is using so much of its energy attempting to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your hearing assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to constantly turn the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that out-dated TV. It can be hard to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being jumbled by background music and sound effects. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to cope with. Your hearing may be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing test and if you find out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
Contact us today to make an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve experienced any of the above signs.