Hearing loss can be caused by many things and is usually extremely aggravating. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is caused by a more serious underlying health condition and isn’t just the result of aging or an injury.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should watch for
Hearing loss will frequently throw up a number of red flags meaning it’s time for a hearing assessment. Here are a few of those red flags that should make you pay attention.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
You may be having a hard time hearing phone calls even with the volume setting. If you are constantly turning the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you should make an appointment as soon as you can for a hearing exam.
Trouble following conversations
Even though getting lost when you’re having a conversation isn’t always a sign of hearing loss, it may be a sign of hearing loss if you frequently have a hard time processing the conversation when two or more individuals are talking simultaneously.
Neighbors and family members are complaining about a loud TV
Following along with tv shows, particularly when there’s dialog and music, can be challenging. It’s worthwhile to know that turning the television up louder doesn’t always clear up the sound. But if you constantly need the tv cranked up to a high volume that is unpleasant for others in the room or if your neighbors are hearing your television, it is time to get your hearing checked.
Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
It usually means you’re struggling to separate speech from background noise if hearing in a public place has become difficult. People who are experiencing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You say “what” a lot
If someone is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t always 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 getting sound signals clearly in order to process speech properly.
Failing to understand what people say
Misunderstanding what people are saying can be embarrassing and is often a sign of high frequency hearing loss. This form of hearing loss makes it challenging to distinguish speech.
If you are dealing with any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test as soon as possible. Luckily, the stigma that was once linked to hearing loss has nearly vanished, the testing is simple, and with the modern advances in hearing aid technologies, there is no reason for you to keep suffering with hearing loss.