Signs of Hearing Loss

Signs of hearing loss can be as subtle as missing a phone call, to as profound as not hearing an incoming vehicle. Below we’ve listed the most obvious and conspicuous signs of hearing loss that could imply either you or your loved one could be facing hearing difficulties. 

Speech has to be constantly repeated to you 

Have you ever experienced your friends or family raising their voices to talk to you? Or more noticeably, have any of them ever asked you to turn the television, radio, or music volume down very often? If you frequently ask people to repeat themselves more than quite a few times, then this could most likely indicate that you aren't able to hear very well. For the avoidance of frustration, for both you and your conversation partner, it would be safe to say that you must undergo a quick and easy online hearing test. This will give you a brief picture of any hearing loss that you may suffer. After this, the process of impending hearing exams and trials can be guided by a certified audiologist delegated for your consultation.

Ability to hear, but inability to comprehend words

Localisation is significant in comprehending surrounding sounds and conversations. Localisation simply means knowing the source from where the sound is emanating from. This is especially beneficial while having a phone conversation with your friend or anyone for that matter. In cases where you have a low capability of localisation, you might frequently find the need to ask your friend to repeat their speech during phone conversations and vice versa, as the words uttered through the phone may get mixed up with all the background noises of the surroundings making it difficult to pinpoint which sounds to respond to. 

You feel socially isolated and depend on others for listening

Social isolation can take a harmful toll on one’s mental health, and one of the main reasons for social isolation is the presence of some degree of hearing loss in an individual. When you’re forced to rely on your friend or your partner during social gatherings, it may seem pretty normal to the others, but must cause an awkward appearance for you from your own perception. This awkwardness is a notable, albeit subtle symptom of hearing loss. You might constantly want to avoid social interactions due to this and face suspicion from your friends in your social circle. It's best to not take this lightly as this may cause something known as listening fatigue and mental exhaustion.  

You experience tinnitus and some sounds seem louder than others

You experience a ringing or whistling sound in the ears, called tinnitus. Interestingly, tinnitus is a fairly common phenomenon for many adults as well as children. It is not as serious as it may seem. It only becomes serious when it is a constant occurrence daily and is deafening.  Some forms of tinnitus known as “recruitment” can be overly loud and can come in various forms like, crackling, humming, scratching, booms and drumming. These types of sounds are confirmed signs of hearing impairment and would require immediate consultation from an audiologist. Other types of tinnitus include; high-frequency sounds are hard to hear whereas low-frequency sounds are louder, mid-frequency sounds are hard to hear whereas low and high frequency sounds are louder, low-frequency or low pitched sounds are hard to hear whereas high frequency sounds are louder. 

Your everyday tasks are hindered due to unclear sounds

Individuals with hearing loss report high levels of psychological stress and anxiety, which deters their process of even carrying out the most mundane tasks like, cooking, household chores, family gatherings, hygiene-oriented daily routines and exercising. In addition to this, research has shown  that workers or employees with certain degrees of hearing impairment perform poorly in their jobs and are vulnerable to a downward spiral in their respective professions.

If any of the aforementioned signs can be seen in yourself or anyone you know, it is highly suggested to get a hearing consultation from a specialist and follow the advised procedures specified by the hearing care centre to help your hearing bounce back to optimal conditions.