Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss happens in degrees, especially when it is linked to the aging process. Some signs show up earlier, though, and you don’t detect there is an issue right away.
These initially developing symptoms advance very discreetly. Recognizing them sooner is essential to slow down the progression of hearing loss or other health issues associated with aging. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. You might be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can hear him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that deliver electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You might not be capable of hearing your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
When the phone rings you often make excuses for not picking it up:
- I’m simply not used to this new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s probably what it is
You hate talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t hear what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. You probably have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why is everyone mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but lately, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your partner all seem like they’re mumbling when they speak with you. If it seems like everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re most likely dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? How you hear words is changing. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial indications that your hearing is going through changes.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
You might not even recognize 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 you are having a hard time hearing. If somebody comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a disruption, people tend to ignore it. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Triggers are a significant factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. Maybe, when you first get 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 crucial that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something may be wrong, so you should schedule an appointment right away to get an exam.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable going to the neighborhood get-together
Again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in noisy settings makes understanding what individuals say that much harder. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re around something as simple as the AC kicking in or children splashing and playing in the pool. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You feel more tired than normal
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more tired than usual because your brain needs to work harder to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses might even begin to change. How much energy is left for eyesight, for example, if your brain is spending so much of its energy trying to hear and understand words? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to have 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 blame your service provider or that old TV. When you have hearing loss it’s hard to hear dialog on your favorite shows. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. Your hearing might be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
The good thing is, if your hearing is failing, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.
Call us today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you’ve experienced any of the above signs.