It might seem like it’d be evident, but hearing loss tends to be slow, so how can one know if they have it? There is no darting pain to function as a danger sign. You do not collapse or make extra trips to the restroom when it happens, either. It’s safe to say the symptoms of hearing loss are somewhat more subtle than other age-related illnesses like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Even so, there are indicators if you know to look for them. It’s a matter of paying attention to the way you hear and the impact any change could be having on your life. Take the time to consider the ways you can pinpoint hearing loss for you or someone you care about.
Your Conversations are Different
The impact on socializing offers a number of the most telling indications. As an example, if the first thing out of your mouth during most discussions is “what?” That shows you aren’t understanding words easily. Asking the people you talk to tell you again what they said is something they’re very likely to notice before you do, too, so pay attention to how folks react to having discussions with you.
When speaking to a group of two or more people, you might have trouble keeping track of things. You are missing parts of what each person says, so you are not connecting the dots anymore. You can not ask everyone speaking to repeat themselves, either, so you just get lost. Over time, you hide from group conversations or stand there not understanding what’s stated, because it is just too confusing when you do.
The Little Everyday Sounds Takes Over
If all you hear these days is background noise, then it’s time to get a hearing test. This is a frequent sign of hearing loss since you’re not able to filter out sounds like a fan blowing or an air conditioner operating. It gets to the point at which you can not hear what people are saying for you because it becomes lost in the background noise.
The TV Volume Goes Up and Upward
It’s simple to excuse the need to flip the TV volume up on this tired set because of a busy area, but if it happens every day, it’s probably an indication of gradual hearing loss. When everybody else starts telling you that you’ve got the TV or computer volume up too high, you need to wonder why that is, and, probably, conclude that your hearing isn’t like it was at one time.
You End up Watching Their Mouth
Lip reading is a compensation technique for missing words. Gradual hearing loss begins with the loss of hard sounds. Words that contain specific letters will probably be faulty. Your mind might automatically refocus your eyes on the individual’s lips to repair the problem. Chances are you do not even understand you do it before somebody points it out or suddenly looks uncomfortable when speaking with you.
You Hear Something Strange
The constant clicking or buzzing or the sound of wind in your ears — that is called tinnitus, and it is an indication of significant hearing loss. These sounds aren’t real, but phantom sounds that only you hear. For some people, they are just annoying, but for many others tinnitus is painful. If you’ve got it, then you most surely have hearing loss you will need to handle.
Hearing problems aren’t always obvious to the person experiencing them, but it’s to others. Listen to what your loved ones are telling you about your hearing. Consider, also, other medical issues that may contribute to the problem such as hypertension or medication you have been prescribed that can harm your ears and find out if age-related hearing loss is a hereditary problem you should be worried about.
It is really like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. When you do come to that decision, visit your doctor and receive a professional hearing test for affirmation. Hearing loss isn’t the end of the world, but for many, it will mean it’s time to consider hearing aids.
