Hearing loss isn’t always profound. In many cases, it starts with conversations being a little harder to follow, turning up the TV a little bit more, or other changes that might indicate an issue long before someone completely loses their hearing. Those who have any signs of potential hearing loss should have an exam done to get ahead of the issue and prevent further hearing damage when possible. Some signs of hearing loss that shouldn’t be ignored include the following.
Asking People to Repeat Themselves
Someone who is starting to have hearing loss may have trouble hearing when others talk. They might start to ask people to repeat themselves more frequently because they couldn’t hear part or all of a sentence. This is often one of the most obvious signs that someone is suffering from hearing loss, but many people ignore it as long as possible. Instead, when someone starts asking others to repeat themselves more often, it’s a good idea to have an exam done and look into the hearing solutions available today.
Difficulty Hearing Certain Sounds
There is a limit to the frequencies a person can hear, but if this gets worse over time, it may be a sign that the person is suffering from hearing loss. There are certain tones that can be heard by children and teens, but most adults can’t hear them anymore. This is a common form of trouble with hearing higher frequencies. However, when this gets worse and someone can’t hear high frequencies that most other adults can hear, it’s time to get help for hearing loss.
Turning Up the Volume Too High
Another very common sign that someone is having trouble with their hearing is turning up the volume on the TV too high. While someone may do this occasionally to be able to hear the quieter sounds on the TV better, if they do it all of the time, it could be a sign they’re having trouble hearing the TV. There are numerous ways to make it easier to hear dialogue on the TV, but if these don’t work or the person still needs to have the TV at a higher volume, it’s a good idea to look into hearing options.
Trouble Following Conversations in Groups
Another sign can be trouble following conversations in groups. Though the person can hear others who are talking, it can be harder to do so in groups where multiple people are talking because the person naturally reads lips a tiny bit to help them understand what others are saying, or ends up hearing too much of the background noise and has trouble concentrating on the person who is talking. If background noise makes it harder to hear, schedule a hearing test. Health
If you or a loved one has any of these signs of hearing loss, it’s a good idea to schedule an exam right away. Hearing loss can start slowly, and getting help now can help the person get what they need to preserve their remaining hearing and be able to hear better through the use of hearing aids and other tools. Schedule your appointment today to learn more.