The last time you had dinner with family, you were rather frustrated. It wasn’t because of family drama (this time). No, the cause of the stress was simple: it was loud, and you couldn’t hear anything. So you didn’t hear the details about Nancy’s raise, and you didn’t have the ability to ask about Todd’s new dog. It was difficult. You try to play it off as if the acoustics of the room are to blame. But you have to admit that it might be a problem with your hearing.
It’s not usually suggested to self diagnose hearing loss because it’s incredibly challenging to do. But there are some early warning signs you should keep on your radar. When enough red flags show up, it’s time to make an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Hearing loss’s early signs
The majority of the symptoms of hearing loss are subtle. But you could be experiencing hearing loss if you can relate to any of the items on this list.
Some of the most common initial signs of hearing loss could include:
- You notice it’s hard to understand particular words. This symptom occurs when consonants become hard to hear and differentiate. Normally, it’s the sh- and th- sounds that are garbled. But another common example is when the “s” and “f” sounds become confused.
- You notice that some sounds become unbearably loud. It’s one of the more unusual early warning signs linked to hearing loss, but hyperacusis is common enough that you may find yourself experiencing its symptoms. If you are experiencing this issue, especially if it persists, it’s time for a hearing exam.
- You have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds. Perhaps you just noticed your teapot was screeching after five minutes. Or maybe, you never even hear the doorbell ringing. Early hearing loss is usually most obvious in particular (and often high-pitched) frequencies of sound.
- When you’re in a crowded loud setting, you have trouble following conversations. This is often an early sign of hearing loss.
- You often need people to repeat what they said. If you find yourself asking multiple people to talk more slowly, talk louder, or repeat what they said, this is especially true. This early sign of hearing loss could be happening without you even noticing.
- Your ears are ringing: This ringing (it can actually be other noises too) is known as tinnitus. Tinnitus isn’t always linked to hearing problems, but it is often an early warning sign of hearing loss, so a hearing test is probably in order.
- Someone notices that the volume on your media devices is getting louder. Maybe you keep cranking up the volume on your mobile phone. Or maybe, your TV speakers are as loud as they go. Usually, it’s a family member or a friend that points out the loud volumes.
- You’re suddenly finding it difficult to hear when you’re talking on the phone: You may not talk on the phone as often as you used to because you use texting fairly often. But if you’re having difficulty understanding the phone calls you do receive (even with the volume turned all the way up), you may be confronting another red flag for your hearing.
Get a hearing test
You might have one or more of these early warnings but the only real way to know the health of your hearing is to get a hearing test.
You may be dealing with hearing loss if you are experiencing any one of these symptoms. A hearing assessment will be able to reveal what degree of impairment, if any, exists. And then you’ll be better prepared to find the best treatment.
This will help you have a much more enjoyable time at that next family gathering.