8 Signs Indicating Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a natural part of aging, but this doesn’t mean you should ignore how your hearing ability changes over time, especially since this type of decline can manifest in unexpected ways.
Leslie Sewells, a senior audiologist at the American Hearing Life Center, states, "Untreated hearing loss affects not only your ability to hear but also how your brain processes sound, your ability to communicate clearly, and even your relationships and mental health," according to the Huffington Post.
She adds, "The sooner we identify hearing loss, the more effective treatment can be—whether through hearing aids, lifestyle adjustments, or other solutions tailored to your needs."
Here are some early signs of hearing loss:
A Feeling of Fullness in One or Both Ears
Brea Collins, the assistant director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, says, "I don’t ignore a feeling of fullness in one or both ears, especially if it’s accompanied by dizziness or imbalance."
She explains that ear fullness and dizziness can be signs of underlying conditions affecting the inner ear, such as fluid buildup, infections, or balance disorders.
Collins adds, "These symptoms can impact balance, hearing, and overall quality of life, and in some cases, may indicate more serious issues like neurological conditions."
Increased Need to Repeat What Others Say
Sewells notes, "One sign I never ignore is the increased need to repeat what others say, especially if it happens regularly in conversations with family, friends, or coworkers. This often starts slowly and subtly."
Pay attention if you find yourself frequently saying phrases like "What?" or "Can you repeat that?" and feel that others are not speaking clearly.
Jane Schumacher, an audiologist at ReSound, states, "Anyone can mishear things from time to time, but if you repeatedly ask for someone to repeat what they’ve said, that could be a sign you’re missing some sounds necessary for processing speech correctly."
Fatigue After Social Interactions
Jane says, "It’s normal to feel a bit tired after a long day of interacting with family or friends, but if you or a loved one feels exhausted after talking to others, there may be more than just a need for a good night’s sleep."
She explains that when a person doesn’t hear all speech sounds, their brain has to fill in the gaps to help understand what others are saying.
"This requires significant additional focus and makes the brain work harder to process what’s happening in a crowded environment, leading to extreme fatigue afterward."
Persistent Tinnitus
Patricia Gaffney, president of the American Academy of Audiology, states, "One thing you shouldn’t ignore is persistent tinnitus. Tinnitus may be a result of underlying hearing loss."
Tinnitus refers to a phenomenon where individuals hear ringing or buzzing that others cannot perceive, and it cannot be attributed to any external sound. If you experience this condition in your daily life for weeks or months, you should undergo an evaluation for hearing loss.
Sudden Hearing Loss in One Ear
Dr. Maura Causetti, director of the Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, says, "If someone experiences sudden and unexplained hearing loss in just one ear, they should see a doctor immediately." She adds, "Important details include experiencing sudden hearing loss in only one ear. Sometimes this is hard to pinpoint, but a simple way to check is by noting if you can hear your phone or headphones in that particular ear."
She explains that this decline could signify sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which requires immediate treatment.
Listening to the Television at a High Volume
Jane mentions, "Those with hearing loss may find it difficult to follow television shows with fast dialogues or loud background noise, as this often overshadows critical conversations."
In such cases, people tend to turn up the volume. The same applies to your phone’s volume level.
Complaining About Mumbled Speech
Be attentive to how often you complain about people’s mumbling and lack of clarity in their speech.
Jane Schumacher says, "People with hearing loss often struggle to hear the higher frequencies of speech, which often provide clarity and meaning to words, making them feel like they can hear the sound but don’t fully understand it."
Of course, some people do mumble, but if this happens excessively, you may be experiencing hearing loss.
Difficulty Following Conversations in Noisy Environments
Sewells notes, "You may notice that following conversations in gatherings or noisy environments, like restaurants or meetings, becomes more challenging." She adds, "Many attribute this to distractions or background noise, but it could be a key early indicator of hearing loss."
Just as with the feeling that everyone is mumbling, difficulty hearing with background noise may indicate a decline in one’s ability to perceive high-frequency sounds.
