Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, particularly when it’s related to aging, typically progresses in degrees. You might not recognize it’s taking place immediately but some signs do show up earlier.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Identifying them sooner is crucial to slow down the development of hearing loss or other health problems related to aging. However, you’re unable to detect the signs if you don’t know what they are. You might be developing hearing loss if you notice any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe you can hear the cashier perfectly, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication that the nerves that transmit messages to the brain are damaged (called sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it isn’t as clear. You may not be capable of hearing your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even higher pitched tones such as the phone ringing or alarm clock can get lost. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t pick up the phone when it rings:
- It’s most likely just spam
- I’m just not used to this new phone yet
Contemplate why you dislike talking on your phone. It will be a useful idea to get someone else to check the phone for you if the volume is all the way up and you still can’t hear what the other person is saying. You most likely have a hearing loss problem if you can’t hear the voice but your friend can.
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 partner all seem like they are mumbling when they talk to you. It’s hard to imagine that everyone 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 once did. Mumbling or dropped off consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is changing.
4. You’re saying “what?” a lot
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Often, the first people to notice that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. If someone comments on it, you should pay attention.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
This sign is somewhat more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to disregard it. Tinnitus, the medical term for the ringing or buzzing in the ear, is a common symptom of hearing loss.
Triggers are an important factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. For instance, maybe the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only manifests in the morning or when you are tired. Or, it could also be an indication of high blood pressure, circulatory issues, or trauma.
It’s essential 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 fun attending the neighborhood get-together
Again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. It’s so much more difficult to understand what people are saying in noisy settings. Something as basic 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 trying to keep up with conversations is tedious.
7. You’re usually not this fatigued
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more tired than normal because your brain has to work overtime to try and process what it’s trying to hear. You might even notice differences in your other senses. If your brain is using 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your last eye exam was good, then the next thing to get tested 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 hard to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. What about the other stuff in the room such as the AC or the ceiling fan? Your hearing may be failing if you constantly turn up the volume.
The good news is, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing assessment and if you find out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
If you experience any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to make an appointment.
