Identify these common hearing loss signs in yourself and others.
Everyone has difficulty hearing from time to time. Yet for many people, hearing loss occurs gradually with age or increased exposure to loud environments. Because of this gradual process, hearing loss may not be easy to notice over time. In this article, we will explore some common signs that help detect hearing loss in yourself and others. While everyone experiences hearing loss in different ways, some common symptoms include:
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially in louder environments
- Difficulty hearing people over the phone
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Turning the television or radio up louder than usual
- Difficulty determining where a sound is coming from
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Avoiding social situations
Learn more about these hearing loss signs below.
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in louder environments
One common sign of hearing loss that you may notice in yourself or others is straining to hear and understand speech. This sign can occur if two or more people are talking at once, or even in one-on-one conversations depending on the setting. It may be more noticeable in louder environments where background noises and other distractions may make it difficult to follow along with the conversation.
Difficulty hearing people over the phone
Some people who experience hearing loss also struggle to hear and understand conversations over the telephone. Hearing and understanding people over the phone may be more challenging because some people rely on visual cues such as lip reading and facial expressions, sometimes without even realizing it.
If you or someone you care about is struggling to hear over the phone, consider a CapTel Captioned Telephone for hearing loss. These phones for hearing loss provide written captions of everything the caller says – like closed captions on TV – making it easy to catch every word!
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
If you or someone you care about frequently asks you to repeat of what was said, it may be a sign of hearing loss. It can also manifest as a misunderstanding of what others are saying, responding inappropriately, or feeling like others are mumbling or not speaking properly.
Turning the television or radio up louder than usual
Many people who experience gradual hearing loss find themselves unknowingly turning up the television or radio louder over time. This increase in media volume can sometimes reach a point where others will notice and find it distracting or too loud.
Difficulty determining where a sound is coming from
The ability to determine where a sound comes from in our environments is known as localization, a part of hearing that’s often affected when hearing loss occurs. While this sign of hearing loss is easy to miss, it can be a signal to make an appointment for a hearing test if you notice it in yourself or others.
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Impacting nearly 50 million Americans, tinnitus is the perception of sound in your ears or head that is not caused by an outside source. The sensation is commonly known as ringing in the ears, but it can also mimic buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, chirping, whirring, or another sound. While the presence of tinnitus does not inherently indicate hearing loss, the two are often related and can occur together.
Avoiding social situations
If you find yourself frequently tired and stressed after interacting with others, it could be linked to hearing loss. Struggling when listening to others and hesitating to join in the conversation can cause some people with undetected hearing loss to avoid social situations altogether.
These common signs can help you know how to detect hearing loss in yourself and the people around you. If you believe that you or someone you care about is experiencing a loss of hearing, schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional. An audiologist can determine if hearing loss is occurring and to what extent through a series of hearing loss screenings. They can also recommend lifestyle and treatment suggestions that can make it easier to hear.
To learn more about CapTel captioned telephones for people with hearing loss, visit our website or call (800) 233-9130.
