Hearing loss can be brought on by many things and is generally very aggravating. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is caused by a more serious underlying health problem and isn’t merely the result of aging or an injury.
Watch out for these hearing loss red flags
There are a number of red flags that might be an indication 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.
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 phone. 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 you can for a hearing evaluation.
Difficulty following conversations
Although getting lost when you’re having a conversation isn’t always an indication of hearing loss, it might be a sign of hearing loss if you regularly have difficulty processing the conversation when two or more individuals are talking simultaneously.
People around you are complaining about the rising volume of your TV
Following along with tv shows, especially when there’s dialog and music, can be challenging. It’s important to recognize that turning the television up louder doesn’t always make the sound clearer. 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 very loud setting.
Difficulty hearing in loud settings
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 tune into speech. People who are developing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You keep asking people what they said
Simply because you can’t hear somebody mumbling several feet from you doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. Still, 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 awkward and is often an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss makes it hard to discern speech.
If you are dealing with any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam as soon as you can. Luckily, the stigma that was once associated with hearing loss has nearly vanished, the testing is simple, and with the modern advances in hearing aid technologies, there’s no reason for you to continue to suffer with hearing loss.