Hearing loss is widely recognized to be a process that develops slowly. That’s why it can be rather insidious. Your hearing grows worse not in huge leaps but by tiny steps. And that can make the progressive decline in your ears challenging to keep track of, especially if you aren’t looking for it. That’s why knowing the first signs of age-related hearing loss can be a big boost for your ear-defense.
A whole assortment of related problems, like anxiety, depression, and even dementia, can result from untreated hearing loss, so even though it’s difficult to detect, it’s crucial to get hearing loss treated as early as possible. Prompt treatment can also help you preserve your current hearing levels. Observing the early warning signs is the best way to guarantee treatment.
It can be hard to observe early signs of hearing loss
Early hearing loss has elusive symptoms. You don’t, suddenly, lose a large portion of your hearing. Instead, the early signs of hearing loss camouflage themselves in your everyday activities.
You see, the human body and brain, are extremely adaptable. Your brain will begin to compensate when your hearing begins to go and can make use of other clues to determine what people are saying. Maybe you unconsciously start to tilt your head to the right when your hearing starts to go on the left side.
But there’s only so much compensation that your brain can accomplish.
Age related hearing loss – initial signs
There are some well known signs to look out for if you think that you or a loved one may be going through the beginning of age associated hearing loss:
- A difficult time hearing in busy spaces: One thing your brain is amazingly good at is following individual voices in a busy room. But your brain has increasingly less information to work with as your hearing gets worse. Hearing in a busy space can quickly become a chore. Having a hearing examination is the best choice if you find yourself avoiding more conversations because you’re having a hard time following along.
- Boosted volume on the TV, radio, or cell phone: This indication of hearing loss is possibly the most widely known. It’s common and often quoted. But it’s also very obvious and trackable. You can be certain that your hearing is starting to go if you’re constantly turning the volume up.
- Consonant sounds like “s” and “th” are difficult to differentiate.: These consonant sounds normally vibrate on a frequency that becomes progressively tough to discern as your hearing fades. The same goes for other consonants also, but you should particularly keep your eye on those “s” and “th” sounds.
- You regularly find yourself needing people to repeat what they said: This may be surprising. But, often, you won’t realize you’re doing it. When you have a hard time hearing something, you might request some repetition. Some red flags should go up when this starts to happen.
You should also be on the lookout for these more subtle signs
Some subtle signs of hearing loss seem like they don’t have anything at all to do with your hearing. These signs can be strong indicators that your ears are struggling even though they’re discreet.
- Chronic headaches: Your ears will still be struggling to hear even as your hearing is going. They’re doing hard work. And that prolonged strain also strains your brain and can lead to chronic headaches.
- Restless nights: Insomnia is, ironically, an indicator of hearing loss. You may think the quiet makes it easier to fall asleep, but straining to hear puts your brain into a chronic state of alertness.
- Trouble concentrating: If your brain is having to devote more resources to hearing, you may have less concentration energy available to accomplish your daily routines. You might find yourself with concentration problems as a result.
It’s a smart plan to give us a call for a hearing test if you’re experiencing any of these age related signs of hearing loss. Then, we can come up with treatment plans that can protect your hearing.
Hearing loss develops gradually. With the right knowledge, you can stay ahead of it.
References
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/46306-Hearing-loss-auditory-deprivation
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072
