Recognizing The Signs Of Hearing Loss
Do you often find yourself asking everybody to repeat what they said? Has it gotten harder to talk to someone in a noisy, crowded place? Do you notice a ringing in your ears when everything is quiet?
Hearing loss creeps up on you. It occurs gradually, so it is often difficult to tell. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that you might have some hearing loss.
- You have spent a lot of time in a noisy environment. For example, if you have worked with heavy machinery, firearms or power tools. Especially if you haven't always worn protection such as earplugs, you probably suffer some hearing loss. Even spending time in a crowded bar or going to lots of movies or concerts can take its toll on your hearing. The world is a louder place than it used to be.
- It seems like everybody is mumbling all the time. If you notice that people speak more quietly lately, it's probably you! Also, if you find yourself turning the TV or stereo volume up higher, it's probably not because the electronics are wearing out.
- You often ask people to repeat things. This is something that may be hard to notice, but see how often you do it. If you misunderstand a lot of things people say, this may also be an indication that you're not hearing as well as you once were. You might also find yourself paying more attention to peoples' faces in everyday conversation. This is also a sign.
- It's hard to follow a conversation between more than 2 people. You might also experience stress and feel nervous when you have to talk to people. It is common for people to feel tired because they are always trying their hardest to follow what people are saying.
- There is a history of hearing loss in your family. Some types of hearing loss are genetic. If you have older family members who have trouble hearing, you may develop the same problem. Some kinds of middle ear disturbances are caused by a disease rather than environmental factors.
- You often get ear infections or experience dizziness. This might not be just wax build-up.
- Ringing in the ears. Many people experience a high pitched ringing in their ears, and it may not be noticeable all of the time. When you are in a quiet place, you are more likely to hear it.
- These conditions often go hand in hand with hearing loss: circulation problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and heart trouble. If you suffer from any of these, you may be at a higher risk of suffering hearing problems as well.
Hearing loss is not only a medical problem. It is often a social problem. If you lose a significant amount of your hearing, it becomes embarassing to socialize. You may find yourself often nervous and stressed out when you interact with others.
If any of these signs sound familiar, go to your doctor and get your ears tested. The sooner you start take care of the problem, the easier it will be.