Hearing loss is usually a frustrating condition that can be caused by various things. Even though hearing loss is usually due to age or an injury, in some circumstances, hearing loss might be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical issue.
Watch out for these hearing loss red flags
There are a number of red flags that might be a sign 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 take notice.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
Even with a volume control setting, you may find it hard to hear the person you are talking to on the phone. 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 assessment.
Trouble following conversations
Even though getting lost during a conversation isn’t always a sign of hearing loss, it may 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.
Family & neighbors are complaining about a loud TV
Following along with television shows, particularly when there’s dialog and music, can be a challenge. It’s important to understand that turning the tv up louder doesn’t always clear up the sound. But if you continuously need the television turned up to a high volume that is unpleasant for other people in the room or if your neighbors can hear your television, it is time to check your hearing.
Difficulty hearing in loud environments
If you are in a public place and the background sound makes it difficult to hear the others with you, it generally means you struggle to mask background noise and focus on speech. Individuals who are experiencing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You keep asking people what they said
If somebody is mumbling a few feet from you and you’re unable to hear them, that doesn’t necessarily indicate you have hearing loss. However, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it may be a red flag that you aren’t receiving sound signals clearly in order to process speech correctly.
Failing to understand what people say
It can be a sign of high frequency hearing loss, often an awkward one, if you frequently misunderstand what people are saying. This means you are not capable of discerning the sounds of speech.
If you are experiencing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test as soon as you can. The good news is, hearing testing is easy and the stigma of hearing loss is a thing of the past so there’s no reason to keep having trouble hearing.