How much of your life is impacted by your senses?
They help us to stay safe and navigate the world around us. Losing any of our senses can make that navigation harder.
That’s the problem that around 770 million people with hearing loss across the world face every day. If you’re losing your hearing, you may struggle to accept the signs.
But hearing loss isn’t the end, and in many cases can be managed well. Here are five signs of hearing loss you need to be aware of.
You Can’t Hear What People Say
When we speak, our speaking volume is dictated by the noise around us. If you can’t hear your own voice, or you can’t hear what other people are saying, you’ll get louder.
That’s why struggling to hear conversations is an obvious sign of hearing loss, especially if it becomes harder in busy areas like a restaurant.
If you’re struggling to follow conversations, it’s time to get your hearing checked.
You Have to Turn up the Volume
A steady decline in your hearing might match up to your preferred volume setting. The harder it is for you to hear, the louder your TV or stereo gets.
Do you struggle to watch TV or listen to music? Louder volume doesn’t overcome hearing problems, and you may find that even at louder volumes, you’re struggling to hear (or listen).
Ask your family and friends. If the volume is too loud for them, you have a good comparison to go by.
Phone Calls Are Becoming Impossible
Speaking to somebody on the phone is, by nature, a hearing-orientated process. You can’t have a phone call if you can’t hear what the recipient is saying, or if you struggle to hear yourself speak.
You might get by with the symptoms of hearing loss if you can spot social signs or lipread. Those signs go out of the window when you’re speaking on the phone.
If you’re struggling to have telephone conversations, your hearing may be impaired, and you might need a hearing aid. Check out our guide to choosing the right kind of hearing aid to help you, but speak to a professional first.
You’ve Started to Withdraw Socially
Social interactions rely on communication. That doesn’t always mean you can’t be social if you can’t hear things, but if you’re losing your hearing, you might start to lose your confidence.
Have you started to withdraw from social situations? Look at the reasons why. Feeling lost in the noise of social interaction could be another sign of a hearing problem.
In situations like these, a hearing aid could help you regain your confidence (and your hearing). You should learn more about the best digital hearing aids to help you navigate social situations.
Your Ears Are Ringing
Have your ears starting to ring? It’s believed that around 15% of the U.S population has tinnitus, a persistent ear ringing without cause.
Tinnitus doesn’t necessarily mean you have hearing loss, but tinnitus is usually a symptom of wider hearing problems or damage. If you’ve been exposed to loud noises or damaged your hearing, tinnitus usually appears as a consequence.
That’s why ringing ears could be the first sign of a problem with your hearing if it’s combined with other signs or symptoms on this list.
Don’t Ignore These Signs of Hearing Loss
It can be hard to accept the signs of hearing loss, but acceptance isn’t the end of the road.
Hearing aids can help people with hearing loss symptoms to recover some, if not all, of their hearing. If you recognize some of these signs, speak to a healthcare professional today.
If you want to explore your health further, take a look at our other health articles.
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