Warning Signs Of Hearing Loss You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your ability to hear is important; and it is an incredibly complex system. As we get older, our hearing can begin to decline and we may find that we can no longer hear as clearly as we once did. The thing is, this can happen quite gradually, so it is not unusual for a person to see a degradation in their hearing without them noticing until the issue is quite advanced.

That is why it is vital that you are aware of some of the most common warning signs of hearing loss, so you can act on them and see a qualified hearing instrument specialist as soon as possible.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the warning signs of hearing loss you should never ignore.

Conversations Cause You Frustration

If you have noticed that you are getting more irritated with friends, family members, people serving you, and so on, and you are annoyed because they appear to be mumbling, then it is worth considering whether it could be the case that you are the one with the issue. It might be that you are experiencing hearing loss which is making it seem like everyone around you is mumbling, and speaking to a hearing instrument specialist and being fitted with the right hearing aids could solve the problem for you.

You Turn the Volume Way Up

In a similar vein, if you find that you are forever turning the volume up on your tv and stereo and whatever, and especially if you’ve had complaints from the neighbors because it is so loud they can hear it, then it might be worth having your hearing tested by a professional. It’s true that some TV shows these days are tough to hear due to incidental music being louder than the dialog, but if you’re having to turn the volume up very high and if you have noticed any other warning signs in this post, then seeing a hearing instrument specialist really is sensible.

Group Settings are Difficult to Follow

If you are finding it harder and harder to follow a conversation; if you get confused after a few minutes and lose the thread of what is being said, then you might worry you are experiencing the first signs of cognitive decline, but it could simply be that your hearing has degraded to the point where you cannot easily understand what people are saying.

Many people with hearing loss can mask the symptoms for a while by lip reading or watching facial expressions closely, but this will only get you so far, and being unable to hear properly will get more and more frustrating over time.

Sounds Are Louder Than Before

This might seem like a weird sign that you are experiencing hearing loss, but when your hearing starts to degrade, certain sounds can actually start to seem uncomfortably loud to you. Typically, these are sounds that would already be loud like alarms or sudden bangs, which can startle you more than usual simply because your normal levels of hearing are much lower.

You’re Getting Clumsy

If you have noticed that you are getting clumsier than usual, you might be tempted to put it down to the fact you are getting older, and it could, of course, be exactly that, but it could also be a warning sign of hearing loss. You see, when your hearing suffers, your balance often suffers too. The ear canals are filled with fluid which needs to be balanced in order for you to maintain equilibrium and if that is upset in any way, then clumsiness is a common side effect.

Your Memory is Not as Good

Surprisingly, hearing loss can also affect your short-term memory. How does it do this? Because when you do not understand things clearly in the first place, it is far more difficult for your brain to process and store those memories in the right place for you to access again at a later date. This is why so many people experiencing hearing loss end up feeling very confused and disorientated until they get hearing aids and start dealing with the problem.

Get in touch with Hear More Medical Centers of America today

If you have experienced any of the above warning signs of hearing loss at all, or there is anything else troubling you that is hearing related, then do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our experienced hearing instrument specialists by calling (352) 877-9243 today.