Hearing loss can be a consequence of many things and is usually very aggravating. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is related to a more severe underlying health condition and isn’t merely the result of aging or an injury.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should look for
Hearing loss will often throw up a number of red flags meaning it’s time for a hearing test. Pay attention if any of these red flags appear.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
Even with a volume control setting, you might find it difficult to hear the person you are talking to on the phone. If you are continually 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 assessment.
Difficulty making out conversations
At times, we get lost when we’re having conversations even when our hearing is normal, but if it occurs frequently, especially when more than two people are talking, it’s most likely a sign of hearing loss.
People around you are complaining about the increasing volume of your TV
It can be challenging to hear television programs, particularly if music is combined with dialog. It’s important to recognize that cranking the tv up louder doesn’t always make the sound clearer. But it’s time to get your hearing examined if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you continuously need the volume on a very high setting.
Trouble hearing in noisy settings
It normally means you’re struggling to differentiate speech from background noise if hearing in a public place has become challenging. People who are experiencing hearing loss most frequently have this complaint.
You keep asking people what they said
Simply because you can’t hear somebody mumbling several feet from you doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. However, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it might be a red flag that you aren’t receiving sound signals clearly in order to process speech properly.
Misunderstanding what people say
Misunderstanding what people say can be embarrassing and is often a sign of high frequency hearing loss. This means you are not capable of discerning the sounds of speech.
If you are dealing with any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing assessment as soon as possible. The good news is, 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.