Hearing loss is a progressive condition that develops slowly over time. That means for most of the more than 48 million Americans who experience hearing loss, their symptoms appeared gradually. Like most health issues, the sooner you treat your hearing loss the better the results.
To ensure you identify new hearing loss quickly, you should keep an eye out for these top five signs.
Trouble Hearing on the Phone
It is not uncommon to have trouble hearing other people while talking on the phone, as they could be calling while on a windy walk around Bartholomew Park or on a crowded bus. But if you regularly turn your cellphone or landline volume all the way up and are still having trouble understanding, this may be a sign of hearing loss.
Trouble Following a Conversation
As you age, it is common to have trouble processing multiple signals at a time, especially when they are all competing for your attention. If you find yourself constantly having a hard time following a conversation when more than one person is talking at a time, this may be an indication that your troubles are not related to simple aging but rather are caused by hearing loss.
Trouble Hearing the TV at a Reasonable Volume
Most movies and TV shows rely on dialogue to move the plot forward. When editors add music and sound effects into the mix, it can be hard to follow every word. If you find yourself having to turn up the volume of your television to a level that is uncomfortably loud for the rest of your family, this may be a sign of hearing loss.
Trouble Hearing in Noisy Environments
Separating speech from background noise can be challenging, especially for those with hearing loss. If you notice you have a harder time following the conversation when you are eating in a noisy restaurant or in a crowded store, this can also indicate you are experiencing hearing loss.
Trouble Hearing Women & Children
Hearing loss occurs at specific frequency ranges. High-frequency hearing loss, the most common type, means you have a difficult time hearing sounds in that range. Women and children typically speak at higher pitches and frequencies, making them more difficult to hear than those with deep voices.
If you think you may have hearing loss, now is the time to get tested. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact Elk Grove Hearing Care today.