The Most Common Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can affect all of us, at any age, even if it is more common amongst older adults. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of hearing loss and when they might be affecting you. The sooner you acknowledge the potential issue, the sooner that a hearing health professional can help you get to the bottom of it.

Muffled speech and other sounds

It can take some time to notice, but if you feel like others are muffled when they are speaking or there are certain sounds that do not sound as clear as they once used to be, then this is a major potential sign of hearing loss. In speech, words with soft sounds like f and th may be the first that become difficult to hear.

You may also find more trouble picking out words and sounds against background noise, even if the background noise isn’t especially loud. High-pitched voices, such as the voices of women and children, are typically harder to pick up when you experience hearing loss, too.

You have to spend more energy and time focusing on noises

As hearing loss causes sounds to become dull and muffled, you might start to find that you pick up on noises but more often have trouble locating their source or picking it out against background noise. This can be frustrating and tiring, especially if you’re trying to keep up with a social situation.

People tell you the TV is too loud

You might think that the volume is perfectly fine when you’re watching TV, on the computer, listening to music or on the phone. However, if you are experiencing untreated hearing loss, you have turned the volume up to a degree that others are compelled to comment on how loud it is. If this is a surprise to you, then it’s a good sign that your level of hearing might be lower than the people around you.

You avoid social situations

A lot of people with hearing loss, even untreated hearing loss, tend to naturally shy away from social situations. This is because when you have hearing loss, it can be stressful and tiring to try and follow conversations when there is any background noise. You might find yourself focusing on following people’s lips rather than looking them in the eye.

You hear a buzzing or ringing in your ear

Although it’s certainly not always the case, it is common for people who are experiencing hearing loss to experience some form of tinnitus, temporarily or at the same time. This might present as a ringing or buzzing noise in your ear. If you are experiencing tinnitus and it does not go away through the course of the day, you should get in touch with your hearing health professional.

If you have any reason at all to suspect that you are experiencing hearing loss, get in touch with your hearing health professional. A hearing test can clear it all up and offer you the answers you need.