Did you know 1 in 8 people in the US has hearing loss?
Hearing is one of our most important senses, but we all take it for granted. Hearing loss can be a problem in of itself, and can even lead to further complications. You might not even notice when it starts to go.
Don’t worry! Read on for 8 subtle signs of hearing loss to watch out for.
1. Can’t Follow Conversations in Noisy Places
The din of a mall or restaurant tends to be low-pitched, which are easier to pick up. Age changes the brain, making it harder to tune out background noise. If you can’t pick up higher toned voices with background noise it might be a sign of hearing loss.
2. Ringing in the Ears
Tinnitus (or ringing in the ears) is a sign of hearing loss but a lot of people ignore it. It might only happen when you wake up, or when you’re tired and you don’t think anything of it. If you get this, it’s advised to see a doctor.
3. You Hate Talking on the Phone
Do any of these excuses sound familiar? I have an outdated phone, I’m not used to this new technology yet. Get someone to test the volume is at its highest and you still can’t hear it or well at all. If the other person can, it could signal hearing loss. Hence, maybe it’s time for earwax removal in London, if you’re near there.
4. Exhausted After Being Social
If you’re struggling to hear everything, your brain is working harder to make sense of it all. This extra strain can make you feel tired. Especially after events with more than one person talking.
5. Watching People’s Lips When They’re Talking
Do you find yourself looking at people’s lips more than their eyes when talking? You can see sounds like ‘f’ and ‘p’ when a person’s lips move. If you’re having trouble hearing, your brain might try to use sight to compensate.
6. Clogged Feeling in Your Ears
This can be a sign of fluid or wax build up in the ears and you should check with your doctor. If your ears are clear though, they might recommend a hearing test. Muffled and dull sounds from hearing loss can feel like a clogged sensation.
7. Your TV is too Loud
TV shows mixing sound effects and music which creates bass tones which can drown out any dialogue. You then turn up the volume to hear it. If other people have remarked on how loud your TV is, you might be experiencing hearing issues.
8. Say What?
Has someone pointed out that you say ‘what’ a lot in conversations? You might not have noticed it but someone else might and this is an early sign. Most often it is those closest to us that first notice these signs of hearing loss that we overlook.
A simple hearing aid is a simple solution to any of these problems. Anyone can buy hearing aides online with affordable and reasonable prices, you just need to know where to look. Modern devices are affordable and unobtrusive. You can learn more here.
Don’t Ignore These Signs of Hearing Loss
The first signs of hearing loss are subtle. If you are experiencing any of these signs, you should see your doctor and request a hearing test as soon as possible.
If you are lucky enough to have perfect hearing, then don’t take it for granted. Make sure to check out our advice for protecting your hearing today!