It’s not like you just wake up one day, and suddenly can’t hear. Hearing loss, especially when it’s associated with aging, usually advances in degrees. You may not detect it’s taking place right away but some indicators do appear earlier.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Delaying the development of hearing loss and its associated health problems is a matter of early detection. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely detectable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you talk to your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a common sign of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that deliver electrical signals to the brain.
Her voice is not as clear to you because it’s higher in pitch. You may not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even higher pitched tones like the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone calls
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
- I’m simply not used to this new phone yet
You hate talking on the phone, but why? 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 can’t hear what the other person is saying. You probably have a hearing loss issue if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
3. Why does everyone mumble these days?
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. It’s difficult to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has poor enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you once did. One of the first signs that something is going on with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are dropping off.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
You might 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 detect you are developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t really a subtle sign, but it is something individuals tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For instance, 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 problems, or trauma.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they might be a sign that you’re having a health problem.
6. It isn’t as enjoyable attending the neighborhood get-together
Again, there are those mumbling people, and that’s not fun. Also, being in loud places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. Something as simple as kids playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC coming on you makes it impossible to hear anything. And trying to focus in on conversations is tedious.
7. You feel more worn out than normal
It’s exhausting when you struggle to understand words. You feel more fatigued than normal because your brain has to work harder to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. You might even notice changes in your other senses. How much energy is left for eyesight, for instance, if your brain is spending so much of its energy attempting to hear and understand words? If your most recent eye test was good, then the next thing to get tested is your ears.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It is easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep cranking up the volume. 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 confusing dialogue, for example. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing may be failing.
The good news is, all it takes to know for certain is a professional hearing exam and if it turns out your hearing is failing, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
Give us a call today to make an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve noticed any of the above signs.
