Hearing loss is usually a frustrating condition that can be caused by a number of things. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is a consequence of a more serious underlying health problem and isn’t just the result of an injury or aging.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should look for
Hearing loss will often throw up a number of red flags indicating it’s time for a hearing exam. Here are some of those red flags that should make you pay attention.
Difficulties hearing on the phone
You might be having a difficult 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 need to make an appointment as soon as you can for a hearing exam.
Difficulty following conversations
Even though getting lost during 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 people are talking at the same time.
People around you are complaining about the increasing volume of your TV
Following along with television shows, particularly when there’s music and dialog, can be challenging. It’s worthwhile to recognize that cranking the tv 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 constantly need the volume on a very high setting.
Trouble hearing in loud environments
If you are in a public location and the background noise makes it hard to hear the other people with you, it typically means you struggle to filter out background noise and tune into speech. This is one of the most prevalent complaints of individuals who are going through hearing loss.
You say “what” a lot
Simply because you can’t hear somebody mumbling several feet from you doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. Still, 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
Misunderstanding what people say can be embarrassing and is often an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss makes it challenging to discern speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test 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 trouble hearing.
