Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. For most individuals, hearing loss comes in degrees, particularly when it is related to aging. Some indicators show up earlier, though, and you don’t detect there is a problem immediately.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Recognizing them sooner is essential to slow down the development of hearing loss or other health problems associated with aging. However, you can’t detect the signs if you have no clue what they are. You might be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely detectable signs.
1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others
Maybe you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife chimes in on the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical messages to the brain.
Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may have the same issue 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 avoid phone conversations
When the phone rings you tend to make excuses for not answering:
- I’m simply not used to this brand new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
Consider why you dislike using your phone. It will be a useful 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. If they are able to hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are probably the problem.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but lately, the woman on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they are mumbling when they talk to you. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has poor enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing decline. You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. 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 might not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you realize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to detect that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see every day, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if someone says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing noises in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle sign, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be intermittent because triggers are a significant factor. Perhaps, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most noticeable 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 may be an indication that you’re having a health issue.
6. It’s not as enjoyable going to the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many people are mumbling at the same time. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in loud settings. Something as basic as kids playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC kicking on you makes it impossible to hear anything. And, you always feel fatigued from trying to keep up with conversations.
7. You feel more fatigued than normal
Battling to understand words is exhausting. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it can hear, so you are more tired than normal. Your other senses may even start to change. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left over for your eyesight or balance? 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?
When you have to keep turning the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. It can be hard to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you’re dealing with hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. There are other things such as the room AC or ceiling fan to deal 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 exam and if you find out your hearing is declining, 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 make an appointment.
