Hearing loss is usually an aggravating condition that can be caused by a number of things. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is a consequence of a more serious underlying health problem and isn’t merely the result of aging or an injury.
Watch out for these hearing loss red flags
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
You may be having a hard time hearing phone calls even with the volume setting. If you are continually cranking the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you need to make an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing exam.
Trouble making out conversations
Sometimes, we get lost when we’re having conversations even when our hearing is normal, but if it occurs frequently, particularly when more than two people are talking, it’s probably a sign of hearing loss.
People around you are complaining about the increasing volume of your TV
It can be difficult to follow tv shows, especially if music is combined with dialog. We need to recognize that the sound doesn’t necessarily get clearer when you turn up the volume. But it’s time to get your hearing assessed if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you constantly need the volume on a very high setting.
Trouble hearing in noisy environments
If you are in a public place 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. Individuals who are developing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You say “what” frequently
If somebody is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t always indicate you have hearing loss. Still, 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.
Failing to understand what people are saying
Misunderstanding what people say can be embarrassing and is often an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This means you are unable to discern the sounds of speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing test 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 keep having difficulty hearing.
