How Can You Tell if You Have Developed Hearing Loss?

Hearing changes are a normal part of aging, and they tend to happen gradually rather than all at once. As with any health issue, the earlier you address it, the better. Hearing loss can often be subtle at first, making it easy to overlook. That’s why it’s important to stay aware of any changes in your hearing. If you notice any signs of hearing loss, it’s a good idea to visit an audiologist for a hearing test to catch any problems early. Here you can learn more about how you can tell if you have developed hearing loss so you can be more aware of the signs and symptoms.

Trouble Understanding Phone Calls

One sign that you may have developed hearing loss is that you have trouble understanding phone calls. This can be frustrating and may cause a miscommunication between you and the other party. You may be enticed to want to turn up the volume on your phone. However, this is a temporary solution, and it may mean that it’s time to get your hearing checked out.

You Keep Turning Up the TV Volume

One sign of hearing loss is if you find yourself constantly turning up the volume on the TV. You might even have family or friends telling you it’s too loud. When you have hearing loss, background music and sound effects on TV shows can overpower the dialogue, making it harder to hear what people are saying. If you notice you’re frequently increasing the volume and others are complaining, it might be time to schedule a hearing test to check for any issues

Your Ears Feel Clogged

In some cases, you may notice that it feels like your ears always feel clogged. While it could be a sign of earwax or fluid buildup it may also be that you have developed hearing loss. Sounds may come off as muffled or dull which can create a clogged feeling. However, it may be that you are experiencing hearing loss and need to get your hearing checked.

It’s Hard to Hear in Noisy Environments

Another way to tell if you have hearing loss is that it’s hard for you to hear in noisy environments. You may try to follow people’s lips instead of making eye contact with them. This can be especially true in areas like crowded malls or restaurants. You may find yourself straining to hear and that you’re having a difficult time following the conversation with others. It will make it harder to ignore the background noise and make out what the people around you are trying to say. It’s a common complaint for people with hearing loss to have a hard time focusing on speech in noisy environments.

You now know some of the signs that may indicate that you’re experiencing hearing loss. If you are experiencing any of these, schedule an appointment with an audiologist. They can test your hearing and come up with a suitable treatment plan for you, like hearing aids.