Hearing loss often begins subtly. You might dismiss your need for people to repeat what they said as them mumbling or background noise. But as you reflect on this moment, a question arises: Am I losing my hearing? It will be easier to identify whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that accompany hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss makes the world sound softer
When normal sounds seem softer than they once did, this is a common sign of conductive hearing loss. You may not even realize that you’ve been turning the volume of the television up or that your friends and family regularly ask you to “speak up”.
Here are some things you may hear:
- Difficulty hearing in loud settings, where background noise drowns out softer sounds
- Needing individuals to speak up
- The volume of sounds seem lower than they used to
This type of hearing loss might feel like a muffled auditory experience, making common sounds seem distant or faint.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will often also be distorted for somebody who has sensorineural hearing loss. Conversations may feel challenging as you struggle to distinguish between similar sounds.
How it might sound:
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
- Unclear or distorted speech
- Misunderstandings because you’re unable to distinguish vowels from consonants
This distortion can lead to frustrating communication obstacles, where you think you understand what’s being said but misinterpret key details.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Hearing loss often comes with tinnitus symptoms. It normally manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t really there, which can cause actual sounds to be even more difficult to hear.
What you might hear:
- Buzzing or static noises
- Internal hissing or screeching sounds in your ears
- Ocean-like waves, crickets chirping, or the whooshing of wind
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in lots of ways and can substantially impact quality of life.
Distinguishing the sounds of hearing changes
Hearing loss normally progresses slowly, and being aware of sounds that come along with it is crucial for early treatment. It’s probably time to set up an appointment for a hearing assessment if you find yourself having difficulty following along with conversations or needing people to frequently repeat themselves.
When is it time for a hearing test?
It’s important to make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment if you are noticing tinnitus symptoms or any indications of hearing loss. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and provide you with the best course of treatment. Understanding what hearing loss sounds like can make a substantial difference in your quality of life. The health of your hearing is important so don’t wait to get the help you need.
Call us today to schedule your hearing test.
