Your hearing won’t be simply gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, especially when it’s associated with aging, usually progresses in degrees. Some indicators appear earlier, though, and you don’t realize there is a problem immediately.
The early symptoms of progressive hearing loss are discrete. Identifying them sooner is essential to delay the development of hearing loss or other health problems connected to aging. But if you are unaware of what the early symptoms are, you won’t be able to recognize if you have them. Consider these eight barely detectable signs that you might have hearing loss.
1. Certain voices you can’t hear very well, others you can
Maybe you can hear the cashier just fine, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a common indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that distribute electrical messages to the brain.
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 throw a loop into things. Those are also high pitched tones.
2. You avoid phone conversations
It’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t answer the phone when it rings:
- I’m just not used to this brand new phone yet
- I get a lot of spam calls – that’s most likely what it is
You dread talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume all the way up and can’t understand what is being said, let someone else test the phone for you. If they can hear the conversation and you can’t, your ears are probably the issue.
3. Why is everybody mumbling?
It used to be just the kids, but as of late, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your spouse all seem like they are mumbling when they speak with you. It’s hard to imagine that everybody in your life suddenly has bad enunciation so this is a good indication of hearing loss. You’re not hearing words the same as you used to. Mumbling or lost consonants like “S” or “T” is one of the first signs that your hearing is changing.
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 you are developing hearing loss are the people you see on a daily basis, like family and coworkers. You should certainly pay attention if someone says something.
5. What’s that ringing in my ears?
Okay, this isn’t exactly a subtle indication, but it is something people tend to dismiss unless it’s distracting. A common sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be periodic because triggers are a significant factor. Perhaps, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most pronounced ringing or buzzing. Or a trauma, circulatory problems, or high blood pressure may be the cause.
It’s essential that you don’t ignore these tinnitus symptoms because it’s an indication that something may be wrong, so you should make an appointment as soon as possible to get checked out.
6. It’s not as fun going to the neighborhood get-together
It’s no fun when it sounds like that many people are mumbling all at once. Also, being in loud places makes understanding what individuals say that much more difficult. Something as basic as kids playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC coming on you makes it extremely tough to hear anything. And, you always feel exhausted from trying to focus in on conversations.
7. You feel more tired than normal
It’s laborious when you struggle to understand words. Your brain has to work overtime to process what it does hear, so you are more fatigued than usual. You may even notice changes in your other senses. 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 eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your ears assessed.
8. Why can’t I hear this TV?
When you have to constantly turn the volume on your TV up, it becomes all too easy to blame your service provider or that old TV. It can be difficult to follow the dialogue on your favorite shows when you have hearing loss. Dialogue is being muddled by background music and sound effects. There are other things like the room AC or ceiling fan to deal with. If you keep cranking up the volume, then your hearing could be failing.
Fortunately, all it takes to know for sure is a professional hearing exam and if it turns out your hearing is declining, hearing aids will help you get back to normal.
Call us today to make an appointment for a hearing test if you’ve experienced any of the above signs.