Hearing loss doesn’t just impact your ability to communicate. Studies show that hearing loss is associated with social isolation, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and even cognitive decline. For these reasons, it’s important to not put off treatment. Below are the signs that it’s time to treat your hearing loss.
You Feel that Others Are Constantly Mumbling
When you lose your hearing, most of the time it’s the high-frequency sounds that are the first to go. This includes consonant sounds, especially s, sh, t, f and k. When you can’t hear consonants, it can be difficult to make out the difference between, say, the word tease and the word fees. For this reason, many people with hearing loss report that they can hear but not understand.
You Have Trouble Following Conversations in Background Noise
While it’s true that everyone has trouble hearing well when background noise is present, for someone with hearing loss, it can seem impossible. Busy settings like Charlotte Restaurant can be stressful when you can’t hear what the person across from you is saying over because their voice is blending in with the other conversations happening nearby.
Talking on the Phone Is Difficult
Talking on the phone is another notoriously difficult listening situation for people with hearing loss. When you can’t hear well, you come to rely on visual cues such as lip reading, facial expressions and gestures that are not available when talking on the phone. This can make understanding the person on the other end of the line very difficult.
You Turn Up the TV Too Loud
One of the main complaints from the families of those with hearing loss is that they turn up the TV uncomfortably loud. This is not surprising, since most television programs layer dialogue over music and sound effects.
You Feel Off-Balance
The hearing and balance systems are both housed within the inner ears. So when you can’t hear well, it’s oftentimes due to damage to the inner ear that also affects the balance system. In addition, your sense of hearing keeps you oriented to your surroundings, which is why many people have fewer accidents like falls after getting hearing aids.
For more information about the signs of hearing loss or to schedule an appointment for a hearing test, call Columbia Hearing Center today.