Hearing loss can be a consequence of numerous things and is generally incredibly frustrating. There are some situations where hearing loss is caused by a more severe underlying health condition and isn’t just the result of aging or an injury.
Look out for these hearing loss red flags
There are a number of red flags that might be a sign of hearing loss and that it’s time to schedule a hearing test appointment. Here are some of those red flags that should make you pay attention.
Trouble hearing on the telephone
You might be having a hard time hearing phone calls even with the volume setting. You need to call us for a hearing test if you find yourself constantly cranking up the volume on your phone.
Trouble making out conversations
At times, we get lost during conversations even when our hearing is normal, but if it occurs frequently, particularly 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 difficult to follow television programs, particularly if music is combined with dialog. It’s worthwhile to know that turning the tv up louder doesn’t always clear up the sound. But it’s time to get your hearing examined if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you continuously need the volume on a really high setting.
Difficulty hearing in loud environments
If you are in a public place and the background sound makes it difficult to hear the other people with you, it usually means you struggle to mask background noise and focus on speech. This is one of the most common complaints of people who are going through hearing loss.
You say “what” a lot
If somebody is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t automatically indicate you have hearing loss. However, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it might be a red flag that you aren’t receiving sound signals clearly in order to process speech correctly.
Misunderstanding what people are saying
Misunderstanding what people are saying 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 experiencing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam as soon as you can. Fortunately, the stigma that was once related to hearing loss no longer exists, the testing is simple, and with the modern developments in hearing aid technologies, there’s no reason for you to continue to suffer with hearing loss.