Hearing loss can be caused by many things and is generally extremely aggravating. There are some situations where hearing loss is caused by a more severe underlying health condition and isn’t simply the result of aging or an injury.
These are some hearing loss red flags you should look for
Hearing loss will often throw up various red flags indicating it’s time for a hearing exam. Pay attention if any of these red flags manifest.
Trouble hearing on the phone
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 should make an appointment as soon as possible for a hearing evaluation.
Difficulty following conversations
Sometimes, we get lost when we’re having conversations even when our hearing is healthy, but if it happens often, especially when more than two people are talking, it’s most likely an indication of hearing loss.
Neighbors and family members are complaining about a loud TV
It can be difficult to follow television programs, especially if music is combined with dialog. It’s important to know that cranking the television up louder doesn’t always make the sound clearer. But it’s time to get your hearing assessed if your neighbors can hear your TV or if you continuously need the volume on a really loud setting.
Trouble hearing in noisy environments
It typically means you’re struggling to separate speech from background sound if hearing in a public place has become challenging. Individuals who are developing hearing loss most commonly have this complaint.
You say “what” frequently
Simply because you can’t hear someone mumbling several feet away doesn’t mean you have hearing loss. However, it could be a red flag that you aren’t receiving and processing speech properly if the word “what” is the most used word in your vocabulary.
Failing to understand what people are saying
Misunderstanding what people are saying can be awkward and is often an indication of high frequency hearing loss. This form of hearing loss makes it hard to discern speech.
If you are noticing any of the above red flags, you should schedule a hearing exam as soon as you can. Luckily, the stigma that was once associated with hearing loss no longer exists, the testing is simple, and with the modern developments in hearing aid technologies, there’s no reason for you to keep suffering with hearing loss.