Let’s take a look at some small signs that you should talk with your doctor about hearing loss.
Hearing loss often happens gradually, making it difficult to recognize it and know when to talk to your doctor. It’s not uncommon for people to adjust their habits subtly over time without realizing these adjustments may be indicating hearing loss. However, recognizing the early signs can lead to timely intervention and help you identify tools and resources that can help you feel comfortable and independent.
If you’ve noticed any of the following, it might be time to schedule a conversation with your doctor or an audiologist:
- Missing Parts of Conversations: In a loud or noisy environment, like restaurants or social gatherings, do you notice that you’re missing parts of conversations? You may find yourself straining to hear the conversation, follow who’s speaking, or find that background noise makes it particularly difficult to hear what is being said.
- Asking People to Repeat Themselves More Often: Do you frequently say “What?” or “Could you repeat that?” even in quiet settings? While it’s normal to miss a word now and then, if this has become a common occurrence, you may want to reach out to your audiologist for a hearing check.
- Speaking Louder Than You Used To: Have friends, family, or coworkers commented that you’re raising your voice? When you can’t hear your own voice clearly, you might unconsciously speak louder to compensate. You can always ask a trusted friend or family member to help you identify if you’re speaking louder than usual.
- Turning the TV Volume Up Higher: Is the TV volume getting so loud that others in the room complain? If your preferred listening level for television is significantly higher than others, it’s a very common sign of hearing loss. If you’re by yourself, keep an eye on the volume level.
- Struggling to Hear on the Phone: Phone conversations can be particularly challenging for those with hearing loss, as there are no visual cues to aid understanding. If you find yourself straining to hear or frequently misunderstanding what’s being said over the phone, it could be a sign of hearing loss. Consider discussing a captioned phone with your audiologist.
- Avoiding Social Situations: Do you find yourself declining invitations to events or avoiding places where you know there will be a lot of background noise? This withdrawal can be a coping mechanism for the fatigue associated with trying to hear in challenging environments.
- Exhaustion from Listening: Actively straining to hear and understand conversations can be incredibly draining. If you find yourself unusually tired after social interactions or meetings, it might be due to the extra effort your brain is expending to process sound.
It’s important to remember that experiencing one or two of these signs occasionally doesn’t necessarily mean you have significant hearing loss. However, if several of these resonate with your recent experiences, or if these issues are persistent and are impacting your daily life, it may be time to consult with a healthcare provider. They can conduct a hearing test and provide an accurate diagnosis, as well as discuss potential solutions like hearing aids, CapTel captioned telephones, personal amplifiers, and more, which can help you stay connected to the people that matter most. For more hearing health tips, visit the CapTel blog.
