Hearing loss can be caused by numerous things and is generally extremely aggravating. There are some circumstances where hearing loss is caused by a more severe underlying health condition and isn’t just the result of an injury or aging.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should watch for
There are varieties of red flags that might be a sign of hearing loss and that it’s time to schedule a hearing assessment appointment. Here are some of those red flags that should make you take notice.
Having difficulty hearing phone calls
You may be having a hard time hearing phone calls even with the volume setting. If you are constantly turning the volume up louder and louder on your cell phone or landline, you need to schedule an appointment as soon as you can for a hearing exam.
Difficulty following conversations
Although getting lost during a conversation isn’t always an indication of hearing loss, it may be a sign of hearing loss if you regularly have difficulty processing the conversation when two or more individuals are talking simultaneously.
Neighbors and family members are complaining about a loud TV
Following along with television shows, especially when there’s music and dialog, can be a challenge. It’s worthwhile to understand that turning the tv up louder doesn’t always clear up the sound. But it’s time to have your hearing checked if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you constantly need the volume on a really high setting.
Trouble hearing in loud settings
If you are in a public location and the background sound makes it difficult to hear the other people with you, it typically means you struggle to filter out background noise and tune into speech. Individuals who are experiencing hearing loss most frequently have this complaint.
You say “what” a lot
If somebody is mumbling a few feet from you and you can’t hear them, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have hearing loss. However, if you say the word “what” more than any other word in your vocabulary, it might be a red flag that you aren’t getting sound signals clearly in order to process speech correctly.
Failing to understand what people say
It can be an indication of high frequency hearing loss, often an awkward one, if you frequently misunderstand what people are saying. This means you are not capable of discerning the sounds of speech.
Call us for a hearing assessments as soon as you can if you are noticing any of the above red flags. Here’s the good news, hearing testing is easy and the stigma of hearing loss is a thing of the past so there’s no reason to keep having trouble hearing.