According to statistics, about 30-million people from age twelve live with various levels of hearing loss in both ears. Although some are born with the condition, others experience it at some point in life. For the latter group, there are always telltale signs that indicate that something is amiss with their hearing. This article discusses some of the subtle signs of hearing loss that you may consider as nothing to worry about. Instead of thinking it is something that may clear up on its own, it is better to see the audiologist as soon as you notice some or all these signs.
Problems With High-Pitched Sounds
Examples of high-pitched sounds are crickets chirping, children’s voices, microwave beeps and female voices. When you begin to notice a problem in your ability to decipher or hear these high-pitched sounds, it may be time to book an appointment with your audiologist. The tricky thing about this is the progressive nature of deterioration. It may seem like something that can clear up on its own in the early stages. However, the truth may be far from what you think is a fleeting poor hearing episode.
In many cases, hearing loss is not sudden, and as indicated above, these subtle signs indicate a need to seek immediate help. The more reason it is necessary to see the audiologist is the likely impact on the brain. When you begin to notice changes in your ability to hear high-pitched sounds, it means your brain is unable to make meaning of the message received.
Difficulty Hearing Consonants
Consonants are a vital piece of speech sounds and structure. They help in distinguishing sounds in the conversations you have with others. When hearing loss begins to set in, one subtle sign is difficulty hearing or sometimes making sounds with consonants. Indeed, you may wonder how what you say impacts hearing loss. According to experts, your ability to pronounce words correctly depends greatly on how the words sound in your own ears when you speak.
It is not easy to hear others make consonant sounds in their speech. Moreover, when you have gradual hearing loss, you also cannot make much of your enunciations. Therefore, any change in your ability to hear consonant sounds is a clear indication to see the audiologist. Seeking early treatment can save you from enduring unproductive conversations with people.
Inability To Hear Others in a Crowd
Usually, carrying on conversations in a crowded area can be quite unfruitful. If you’ve ever had to hold a conversation in a crowd, you may be familiar with the terrain. On the other hand, people experiencing hearing loss may have to work twice as hard to follow or make sense of conversations in crowded places.
Indeed, the listening process demands more attention due to the external influencing factor. However, not when you keep asking people to repeat what they said on countless occasions. The background distraction becomes a major interruption to the chat you’re having in a noisy spot. Admittedly, the subtle nature of this sign makes it quite convenient to overlook it. However, ignoring the obvious can only cause quicker deterioration of your auditory functions.
Involuntary Lip-Reading
How often have you caught yourself lip-reading to comprehend what others are saying? If this is you, it may be time to book an appointment with the audiologist. Lip-reading is often a subtle compensation act among people with hearing loss. It is particularly common among kids who may not even realize that they are reading lips as a way to get a fair idea of what is being said. The truth is, lip-reading is often unconscious until your attention is drawn to it.
Listening to TV or Radio at High Volumes
When you always watch or listen to your favorite shows at full volume, maybe it is time to ask yourself why. It can also be a telltale sign when others nearby keep complaining about the high volume. In other words, it may be an issue when what is sound pollution to others feels comfortable to you.
Persistent Tinnitus
The medical condition characterized by a ringing sensation in one or both ears is tinnitus. When you experience this, it can be an indication of an underlying problem. In other words, tinnitus is not a disease on its own. Instead, it is a symptom. Although other medical conditions like Meniere’s disease can cause tinnitus, hearing loss is a more common reason for its occurrence. These perceived ringing, buzzing, thumping or swooshing sounds are heard only by the individual and nobody else.
Straining To Hear Others All the Time
In this scenario, regardless of the immediate environment, an individual cannot hear clearly. It doesn’t matter whether the place is noisy or quiet. The issue lies with the person’s hearing functions and auditory strength. Once the audiologist diagnoses hearing loss, a reasonable solution will be fitting a suitable hearing device to improve your quality of life.
Clogged Sensation in One or Both Ears
If you have no fluid retention or wax buildup in your ears, a clogged sensation can be one of the subtle signs of hearing loss. It will be better to get an assessment from the audiologist instead of drawing your conclusions about what could be causing the clogged ears.
For more information about your ear health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kirsch Audiology to learn more about your hearing. You can also call us today at 310-586-5533 to book an appointment.
