When we think of hearing loss, we usually imagine someone with extreme hearing loss – or even no hearing at all. But hearing loss usually doesn’t always (or usually) happen all at once. If you pay attention, you may notice subtle differences in your hearing while you’re still in the early stages of hearing loss.
Catching hearing loss early is critical. It’s not usually possible to reverse age-related hearing loss once it starts, but you can treat it sooner and protect your hearing from further deterioration.
Here are some early signs of hearing loss you shouldn’t ignore.
The TV volume constantly needs to be turned up. Maybe your spouse complains that the radio or television is too loud. Or you’ve noticed that you need to tick the volume up more than you used to. If so, it may be an early sign of hearing loss. If your friends and family have been commenting about the volume lately, it may be time to have your hearing checked. In the meantime, consider turning on the subtitles to keep the peace.
Speech sounds muffled. You may not notice right away that you have hearing loss because you can plainly hear the world around you. But in the early stages, you might only notice a difference when you’re having a conversation, and the words sound muffled. This can be one of the hardest signs to recognize, though. At first, you may think that others are mumbling more than they used to, or that they need to speak up. One sure-fire way to tell: be mindful of how often you have to ask others to repeat themselves. Still not sure? Ask a close friend or family member if they’ve had to repeat themselves a lot lately.
It’s hard to hear on the phone. Another early sign of hearing loss is when hearing on the phone becomes difficult. Even if you get through your in-person conversations without much trouble, phone calls can still be challenging. This is especially true if you’ve started relying on body language or lip reading – even if you don’t know you’re doing it. If you’re starting to dread picking up the phone, it may be time to call us.
Background noises are bothersome. Since hearing loss isn’t usually all-or-nothing, it’s easy to think everything is fine when it isn’t. In fact, you might notice that some unwanted sounds – like background noise – are too loud. They crowd out the sound you’re trying to listen to. Believe it or not, this is a sign of hearing loss. Whether you’re trying to focus on a conversation, or just listen for the microwave to beep, the sound has to compete with everything else around you – a noisy fan, the washing machine, a busy street. Due to the complex nature of hearing, background noise can be challenging to combat – even once you have hearing aids. If background noise is a problem for you, our audiologist will help determine the best course of action to maximize your hearing potential.
High-pitched tones are hard to hear. Finally, if you are in an early stage of hearing loss, you may have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds. Practically speaking, you may notice that you have trouble understanding your squeaky grandchild, or you find bird-watching less enjoyable than you used to. Your favorite songs may have lost their nuance, and your phone alerts aren’t, well, alerting. If this is you, stay on the lookout for additional signs of hearing loss and make an appointment for a hearing test. And consider setting your phone on vibrate, so you don’t miss your messages!
Now that you know the early warning signs of hearing loss, you can decide if you need your hearing tested. The good news is that hearing tests are more accurate than ever, and there are many great options to enhance your hearing – so that you can get back to the people and activities you love.
Still not sure? We’d invite you to take our free hearing survey today, or contact Hearing Aids of Sarasota for an appointment. We are here to help you maintain healthy hearing for years to come.
