Hearing loss can be a consequence of numerous things and is generally very aggravating. There are some situations where hearing loss is related to a more serious underlying health problem and isn’t just the result of an injury or aging.
Look out for these hearing loss red flags
There are varieties of red flags that may be an indication 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.
Trouble hearing on the telephone
You may be having a difficult 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 following conversations
Sometimes, 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.
Family & neighbors are complaining about a loud TV
It can be a challenge to hear tv shows, especially if music is combined with dialog. We need to recognize that the sound doesn’t necessarily get clearer when you turn the volume up. But it’s time to get your hearing checked if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you continuously need the volume on a really high setting.
Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
If you are in a public place and the background noise makes it difficult to hear the others 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” frequently
If someone is mumbling a few feet from you and you’re unable to 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.
Misunderstanding what people say
It can be a sign of high frequency hearing loss, often an awkward one, if you regularly misunderstand what people are saying. This form of hearing loss makes it difficult to distinguish speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam 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 difficulty hearing.