Hearing loss can be brought on by numerous things and is generally extremely frustrating. There are some situations where hearing loss is related to a more serious underlying health condition and isn’t just the result of an injury or aging.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should watch for
There are varieties of red flags that may be a sign of hearing loss and that it’s time to schedule a hearing test appointment. Here are a few of those red flags that should make you take notice.
Having trouble hearing phone calls
Even with a volume control setting, you might find it hard to hear the person you are talking to on the phone. If you are constantly cranking the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing exam.
Trouble making out conversations
At times, we get lost when we’re having conversations even when our hearing is healthy, but if it occurs frequently, especially when more than two people are talking, it’s probably an indication of hearing loss.
People around you are complaining about the rising volume of your TV
It can be a challenge to hear television programs, particularly if music is combined with dialog. We need to understand that the sound doesn’t necessarily get clearer when you turn up the volume. But if you consistently need the television turned up to a high volume that is uncomfortable for other people in the room or if your neighbors are hearing your television, it is time to get your hearing checked.
Difficulty hearing in noisy settings
If you are in a public location and the background sound makes it difficult to hear the other people with you, it typically means you struggle to mask background noise and tune into speech. Individuals who are developing hearing loss most frequently have this complaint.
You keep asking people what they said
Just because you can’t hear somebody mumbling several feet from you doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. Still, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it may be a red flag that you aren’t receiving sound signals clearly in order to process speech correctly.
Failing to understand what people say
Misunderstanding what people say can be awkward and is frequently an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This form of hearing loss makes it challenging to discern speech.
If you are dealing with any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam as soon as possible. Here’s the good news, hearing testing is easy and the stigma of hearing loss is a thing of the past so there’s no reason to keep having difficulty hearing.