Hearing loss can be a consequence of many things and is usually very aggravating. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is caused by a more serious underlying health problem and isn’t just the result of aging or an injury.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should look for
Hearing loss will frequently throw up various red flags meaning it’s time for a hearing exam. Pay attention if any of these red flags show up.
Difficulties hearing on the telephone
Even with a volume control setting, you may find it hard to hear the individual you are talking to on the telephone. If you are continually cranking the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing assessment.
Difficulty following conversations
Sometimes, we get lost during conversations even when our hearing is normal, but if it occurs often, especially when more than two people are talking, it’s likely an indication of hearing loss.
People around you are complaining about the increasing volume of your TV
Following along with tv shows, especially when there’s dialog and music, can be challenging. We need to understand that the sound doesn’t necessarily get clearer when you turn the volume up. 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 can hear your television, it is time to get your hearing checked.
Trouble hearing in noisy settings
If you are in a public location and the background noise makes it difficult to hear the others with you, it typically means you struggle to filter out background noise and tune into speech. This is one of the most common complaints of individuals who are experiencing hearing loss.
You say “what” a lot
Just because you can’t hear someone mumbling several feet away doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. Still, it may be a red flag that you aren’t receiving and processing speech correctly if the word “what” is the most used word in your vocabulary.
Failing to understand what people are saying
It can be an indication of high frequency hearing loss, often an embarrassing one, if you regularly misunderstand what people are saying. This type of hearing loss makes it challenging to discern speech.
Contact us for a hearing exam as soon as you can if you are noticing any of the above red flags. 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.