It’s easy to miss in the beginning. You’ll probably adjust and adapt, at first without really paying it much attention. But before you know it, it’s having quite an impact on your life and not in a good way. Hearing loss affects around 48 million Americans and you could be one of them.
Untreated hearing loss can result in isolation, depression, and even higher healthcare costs according to recent research. That’s why it is so important to look out for the signs of having a hearing loss, so you can get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
Here are six common signs that your hearing ability may be declining:
Trouble following conversations
Do you increasingly find that you miss parts of a conversation because you didn’t quite catch what was said? Maybe this happens more often when you’re in noisy environments such as parties, family gatherings, and busy restaurants.
Asking others to repeat themselves
You may not notice how often you are asking others to repeat what they’ve said, so it’s worth asking those closest to you. If you’ve been doing this more often, you may have a hearing loss.
Difficulty hearing women and children
Women and children often speak with a higher tone of voice than men. Hearing loss usually begins with difficulty hearing these higher sound frequencies.
Difficulty hearing consonants
Consonants are harder to hear clearly than vowels if you have a hearing loss. This is because consonants, such as s, f, and h, when spoken have higher sound frequencies.
More frequent headaches
If you are straining to follow conversations all day long, whether at work or at home, you are more likely to experience headaches. Sometimes this can lead to neck and shoulder aches too.
Turning up the volume
You may notice that the volume on your cell and TV are set higher than they used to be. Or when friends and family are sat in front of the TV with you, they may comment that the volume is too high to be comfortable.
If you are experiencing any of these six signs of hearing loss, then it is important for you to get your hearing health checked by an Audiologist, a special doctor dedicated to diagnosing and treating all kinds of hearing issues.
Physicians Hearing Care is here to help
Our team of leading Audiologists is on hand to give you a thorough hearing assessment, by the end of which you will know exactly what’s going on with your hearing health. We’ll tell you all about the different treatment options available for your particular circumstances so you can make an informed decision and look forward to healthier hearing. Click here to find your closest Physicians Hearing Care in East Tennessee and then come along to see us.
