Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, especially when it is related to aging. You may not realize it’s occurring 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 issues related to aging. However, you’re unable to detect the signs if you have no clue what they are. Contemplate these eight barely detectable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Perhaps you can hear the cashier just fine, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets muddled. It’s a typical sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that deliver electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is a higher 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 tend to make excuses for not answering:
- I’m simply not used to this new phone yet
- I get tons of spam calls – that’s probably what it is
Consider why you dislike talking on your phone. If you have the volume at max and can’t understand what is being said, let someone else test the phone for you. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are likely the problem.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but as of late, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they’re mumbling when they talk to you. 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. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the initial indications that your hearing is going through changes.
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. Often, the first people to detect you are developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle sign, but it is something people tend to ignore unless it’s disruptive. Tinnitus, the medical name for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. For example, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only happens in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure might be the cause.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health issue.
6. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood barbecue isn’t as fun
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many individuals are mumbling all at once. Also, being in noisy places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re around something as basic as the AC turning on or children splashing and playing around the pool. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more fatigued than usual
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more tired than normal because your brain needs to work harder to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. Your other senses may even start to change. How much energy is left for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is using so much of its energy trying to hear and understand words? If your most recent eye exam was good, then the next thing to get checked is your ears.
8. Why is this TV volume so low?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep cranking the volume up. It can be difficult to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. How about the other stuff in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep turning the volume up, then your hearing may be failing.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing exam and if it turns out your hearing is failing, hearing aids will help you get some of your hearing back.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to schedule an appointment.