Hearing loss is usually a frustrating condition that can be caused by a variety of things. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is related to a more serious underlying health condition and isn’t simply the result of an injury or aging.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should watch for
There are a number of red flags that might be an indication of hearing loss and that it’s time to schedule a hearing assessment appointment. Pay attention if any of these red flags show up.
Having trouble hearing phone calls
You may be having a hard time hearing phone calls even with the volume setting. You should call us for a hearing test if you find yourself continuously cranking the volume up on your phone.
Difficulty following conversations
At times, we get lost when we’re having conversations even when our hearing is healthy, but if it happens often, particularly when more than two people are talking, it’s probably an indication of hearing loss.
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 cranking the tv up louder doesn’t always make the sound clearer. But if you consistently need the television cranked up to a high volume that is uncomfortable for other people in the room or if your neighbors are hearing your television, it is time to check your hearing.
Trouble hearing in noisy settings
If you are in a public location and the background sound makes it hard to hear the other people with you, it generally means you struggle to mask background noise and tune into speech. People who are going through 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 automatically indicate 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 are saying
Misunderstanding what people say can be awkward and is often a sign of high frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss makes it difficult to distinguish speech.
If you are experiencing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test as soon as possible. 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 keep having difficulty hearing.
