Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most people, hearing loss happens in degrees, particularly when it is related to the aging process. Some indicators show up earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is a problem immediately.
These initially developing symptoms progress very discreetly. Recognizing them sooner is crucial to delay the progression of hearing loss or other health issues related to aging. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely noticeable indicators that you may have hearing loss.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
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 sign 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 it’s higher in pitch. You may not be capable of hearing 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, too.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not answering:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- It’s most likely just spam
Contemplate why you dislike using your phone. It will be a good idea to get someone else to test the phone for you if the volume is at max and you still aren’t able to hear what the other person is saying. You probably have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It seems like it’s no longer just the kids who are mumbling when they speak, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your spouse, and even your bartender. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. The way 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 getting lost.
4. What?
You may not even recognize that you’re unable to hear conversations anymore until someone points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Frequently, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, 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 indication, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. Maybe, when you first get up in the morning is when you have the most significant ringing or buzzing. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
If you’re noticing these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health issue.
6. Joining your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as fun
Once again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in loud settings makes understanding what people say that much more difficult. Something as simple as youngsters 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 feel more worn out than usual
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it does hear, so you are more tired than normal. Your other senses may even begin to change. If your brain is utilizing 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left over for your eyesight or balance? If your last eye test was good, then the next thing to get checked is your ears.
8. Why is this TV volume so low?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you need to keep cranking up the volume. It can be difficult to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to cope with. Your hearing may be failing if you constantly turn the volume up.
Luckily, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.