Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, especially when it’s related to aging, generally advances in degrees. Some indicators show up earlier, though, and you don’t recognize there is an issue immediately.
The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Identifying them sooner is essential to slow down the development of hearing loss or other health issues related to aging. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. You might be developing hearing loss if you identify any of the following eight barely detectable indicators.
1. Some voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe when you speak with your brother, you can understand him fine, but when your wife speaks, some words just seem to get lost. It’s a typical indication that the nerves that send signals to the brain are damaged (known as sensorineural hearing loss).
Her voice is higher in pitch, and that’s why it’s unclear. You may have the same issue with your grandchild or daughter. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can become a problem. Those tones are high, too.
2. You don’t like to talk on the phone
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- It’s most likely just spam
- I’m simply not used to this new phone yet
Consider why you dislike using your phone. 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. If they can hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are probably the issue.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It seems as if it’s no longer only the kids who are mumbling when they talk, it’s your neighbor, the news woman, your spouse, and even your bartender. If it seems as if everyone in your life is mumbling, you’re probably dealing with hearing loss, because what is the probability of that? You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. 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. What?
It may not be until somebody points out that you’re saying “what?” a lot that you recognize you are developing hearing loss. Frequently, the first people to detect that you’re developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should definitely pay attention if somebody says something.
5. Why do I hear ringing sounds in my ears?
This sign is a bit 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 a substantial factor in tinnitus so it can be intermittent, too. For example, perhaps the ringing, buzzing, or roaring only happens in the morning or when you are tired. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure could be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t disregard 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. Meeting your friends at the neighborhood BBQ isn’t as fun
Again, there are those people mumbling, and that’s not fun. Also, being in loud places makes understanding what individuals say that much harder. It becomes impossible for you to hear anything when you’re in the presence of something as simple as the AC kicking in or youngsters splashing and playing in the pool. And attempting to keep up with conversations is tedious.
7. You feel more tired than normal
Struggling to understand words is exhausting. You feel more fatigued than normal because your brain needs to work harder to try and interpret what it’s attempting to hear. You may 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 eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your hearing checked.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
It’s easy to blame your old TV or the service provider when you have to keep turning up the volume. It can be hard to hear the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. The background music and sound effects are befuddling dialogue, for example. What about the other stuff in the room like the AC or the ceiling fan? If you keep turning the volume up, then your hearing might be failing.
Luckily, if your hearing is declining, hearing aids can help, you just need to get a hearing test.
If you notice any of the above signs of hearing loss, contact us today to schedule an appointment.