Hearing loss can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the nature and extent of the condition. Some people experience hearing loss in one ear, while some have difficulty hearing in both ears. If you notice some signs of hearing loss, the best thing you can do is to consult with an audiologist.
Hearing loss is usually hard to detect in the early stages. It is possible for it to creep up on you gradually until it becomes so severe that you find yourself struggling to understand conversations and missing out on sounds that you used to hear easily. This is why getting a hearing test regularly is important.
Understanding the Signs of Hearing Loss
Signs of hearing loss vary in terms of type and severity. An audiologist or hearing healthcare professional can diagnose hearing loss. Below are the most common signs of hearing loss in no particular order:
1. Difficulty hearing in crowded places
Hearing difficulties, even when there is only a slight amount of background noise, are frequently the initial signs of moderate hearing loss or an auditory processing issue (APD). The ability to hear in noisy environments is a topic that frequently comes up in conversations with patients.
Chats between two people, or even conversations in small groups, do not present any difficulties for them. But when they are in a huge crowd, they frequently find it very difficult to understand what the individuals talking to them are saying.
Patients who complain about this issue also observe that they have problems hearing the consonants “F,” “S,” and “H.” If you are having these symptoms as well, it is possible that you have suffered some sort of hearing loss in the high-frequency range.
2. Ringing in the ears
Did you know that experiencing ringing in the ears is one of the signs of hearing loss?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 50 million people in the United States are affected by the health condition known as tinnitus, making it one of the most common health issues in the country.
Tinnitus, also referred to as ringing in the ears, can be brought on by two types of hearing loss: age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. Tinnitus is thought by specialists to be the brain’s attempt to make up for the absence of certain frequencies coming from the auditory system in either of these two circumstances.
If you are experiencing ringing (or buzzing, whooshing, humming) in your ears, this is a warning sign for your auditory system, and you should make an appointment with an audiologist at the soonest possible time.
3. Difficulty following group conversations
The ability to comprehend many incoming and conflicting sounds declines with age. Occasionally having trouble following a conversation is not necessarily an indication that you are losing your hearing.
However, if you notice that you frequently struggle to keep up with conversation having two or more people talking at the same time, you may need to get your hearing tested.
4. Volume is too loud for comfort
It can be challenging to keep up with television programs, particularly when the music overpowers the dialogue being presented on screen. However, if you find yourself needing to turn the volume on the television up to the point where other people in the room comment about its uncomfortable loudness, you may be experiencing a sign of hearing loss.
5. Listening fatigue
If you have to struggle to hear what’s being said and find yourself feeling more tired than usual, you may be experiencing listening fatigue. Hearing is a critically important brain function. Your brain has to put in significantly more effort in order to make sense of the sounds it is receiving if your auditory system is compromised. If at the end of the day, you feel like you are experiencing listening fatigue, it may be time to see an audiologist to check if you have hearing loss.
Audiologists in Cary, NC
Experiencing signs of hearing loss can be worrisome, or even daunting. The good thing is, the condition can be treated and managed by an audiologist.
Cary Audiology is an audiology clinic with audiologists providing hearing tests, hearing aid fitting, aural rehabilitation, and other hearing health services in Cary, NC.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
