Educational Guide to the First Sign of Hearing Loss

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If you aren’t sure whether you are losing your hearing or not, we have put together this informational post on symptoms and signs you will want to look out for. Hearing loss can be a very emotional process; it is challenging to deal with on many levels.

If you think you might have a hearing loss you are not alone. About one in five people in the U.S have some type of hearing loss. Generally, it takes people about seven years from the time they think they are losing their hearing to the time they seek treatment.

What Are the Signs of Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can be a slow process and difficult to notice over time, especially by the people experiencing the change.   Signs are different for everyone, depending on the type of loss you are having and your overall health, but here are a few of the most common things to look out for:

  • You have to ask people to repeat what they are saying.
  • You have difficulty hearing when in a group situation
  • You watch TV at a volume level that is too loud for other family members.
  • You cannot hear what someone is speaking behind you.
  • Find that other people aren’t speaking clearly or sound muffled
  • Find it challenging to talk on the phone
  • Have a hard time hearing when at a play, a movie or at church.
  • Find it difficult to hear in noisy situations like a restaurant.
  • Have a ringing, hissing or buzzing in your ears

As mentioned above, losing your hearing can be slow and happen gradually over many years or occur very suddenly if you experience an injury or have a virus or infection that affects your hearing.

There are more subtle indications that you are losing your hearing, which can include getting frustrated or annoyed by your family members because you are having difficulty understanding them. You start to isolate yourself by avoiding social interactions because you know you will have difficulty understanding the conversation. Since friends or family tend to notice the hearing loss before the person with their hearing health declining, it is essential to take any concerns from others into account.

If you are not sure that you are losing your hearing but you have a family history of hearing loss or you have a medical condition that may lead to loss of hearing, or you have been exposed to loud noises for long period it is best to get a hearing test. Hearing tests are easy to take. There are a few online tests and many businesses offer free hearing tests.

 

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Frances Martin
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