Hearing loss is usually a frustrating condition that can be the result of various things. There are some situations where hearing loss is caused by a more serious underlying health condition and isn’t merely the result of an injury or aging.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should watch for
Hearing loss will frequently throw up a variety of red flags indicating it’s time for a hearing exam. Here are some of those red flags that should make you pay attention.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
Even with a volume control setting, you may find it hard to hear the individual you are talking to on the phone. You should call us for a hearing exam if you find yourself constantly turning up the volume on your phone.
Difficulty following conversations
Sometimes, we get lost during conversations even when our hearing is healthy, but if it occurs often, especially when more than two people are talking, it’s likely a sign of hearing loss.
Neighbors and family members are complaining about a loud TV
Following along with television shows, especially when there’s music and dialog, can be difficult. It’s important to know that cranking the tv up louder doesn’t always make the sound clearer. But if you continuously need the television turned up to a high volume that is uncomfortable for others in the room or if your neighbors can hear your television, it is time to check your hearing.
Difficulty hearing in loud environments
If you are in a public location and the background noise makes it difficult to hear the other people with you, it generally means you struggle to filter out background noise and focus on speech. People who are experiencing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You keep asking people what they said
If someone is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t automatically indicate you have hearing loss. However, it might be a red flag that you aren’t receiving and processing speech properly if the word “what” is the most used word in your vocabulary.
Failing to understand what people say
Misunderstanding what people say can be embarrassing and is often an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This form of hearing loss makes it difficult to discern speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing assessment as soon as you can. Here’s the good news, hearing testing is simple and the stigma of hearing loss is a thing of the past so there’s no reason to continue to have trouble hearing.
