8 Discrete Indications Your Hearing is Faltering

Your hearing won’t be just gone one day when you wake up. Hearing loss, particularly when it’s related to aging, typically progresses in degrees. Some signs appear earlier, though, and you don’t detect there is a problem right away.

The initial symptoms of progressive hearing loss are subtle. Slowing down the development of hearing loss and its related health challenges is a matter of early detection. But if you don’t know what the early symptoms are, you won’t be capable of recognizing if you have them. Contemplate these eight barely noticeable indicators that you might have hearing loss.

1. You hear some people perfectly fine but not others

Maybe you can understand the cashier perfectly, but when your wife joins the conversation, everything gets messed up. It’s a typical indication of sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the nerves that send electrical signals to the brain.

Her voice is less clear to you because the pitch is higher. You may not be able to hear your daughter or grandchild very well for the same reason. Even technology like the microwave or an alarm can throw a loop into things. Those tones are high, as well.

2. You avoid phone calls

When the phone rings you are inclined to make excuses for not answering:

• It’s most likely just spam
• I’m just not used to this brand new phone yet

You dread talking on the phone, but why? If you have the volume at max and can’t understand what is being said, let a friend test the phone for you. You probably 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 as of late, the lady on the TV news, the bartender, your neighbor, and your partner all seem like they’re 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 used to. One of the first indications that something is going on with your hearing is when it sounds like people are mumbling and consonants like “S” and “T” are getting lost.

4. You’re saying “what?” a lot

You may not even realize that you’re unable to hear conversations anymore until somebody points out that you’re saying “What?” during conversations a lot. Very often the people you see every day like coworkers or family are the first to detect that you’re struggling to hear. If somebody comments on it, you should pay attention.

5. What’s that ringing in my ears?

This sign is a bit more obvious, but unless it becomes a distraction, people tend to ignore it. A prevalent sign of hearing loss is a ringing in the ears, medically called tinnitus.

Triggers are a substantial factor in tinnitus so it can be periodic, too. Maybe, when you first wake up in the morning is when you have the most significant ringing or buzzing. Or, it could also be an indication of high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or trauma.

If you’re noticing these symptoms you should make an appointment for an exam because they could be a sign that you’re having a health problem.

6. It isn’t as fun going to the neighborhood get-together

It’s no fun when it sounds as if that many people are mumbling at the same time. Also, being in noisy settings makes understanding what people say that much more difficult. Something as simple as children playing and splashing around in the pool or the sound of the AC coming on you makes it impossible to hear anything. And attempting to focus in on conversations is exhausting.

7. You’re usually not this worn out

Struggling to understand words is draining. You feel more tired than normal because your brain needs to work overtime to try and interpret what it’s trying to hear. Your other senses might even begin to change. If your brain is utilizing 110 percent of its time and energy to understand words, what’s left for your eyesight or balance? If your eyes have tested fine, now it’s time to get your ears checked.

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 out-dated TV. It can be difficult to hear 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 cope with. If you keep cranking the volume up, then your hearing could be failing.

Luckily, if your hearing is failing, hearing aids can help, you just need to have your hearing tested.

Contact us today to make an appointment for a hearing assessment or learn more about our hearing services if you’ve noticed any of the above signs.