If you think your hearing is fine but notice yourself asking people to repeat themselves, it may be time to get checked.
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According to Mayo Clinic, hearing loss goes hand in hand with ageing:
Aging and chronic exposure to loud noises both contribute to hearing loss. Other factors, such as excessive earwax, can temporarily reduce how well your ears conduct sounds.
Hearing loss can creep up on you without any warning signs, so it's good to keep an ear out – pun intended – for the following clues:
Asking people to repeat themselves
First of all, this is obvious. When you ask people to repeat themselves, you might be able to hear better if you sit closer to them and face them. If you are deep in your third ‘what,’ it is a warning sign.
Having to turn up the TV volume
If you have to turn up the volume of your TV or other audio devices, it could mean that you are experiencing hearing loss. This is why it's important to wear ear protection when exposed to high levels of noise — like when attending concerts or sporting events — and to avoid loud sounds when possible.
According to a study published by CDC, approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing— many of whom don't even realize they've been affected until it's too late. After all, who wants their favourite TV show ruined by someone else screaming in their ear?
Hearing but not understanding conversation
You might think that the most obvious sign of hearing loss is not being able to hear anything at all. But even if you can't hear a thing, there are some people who wouldn't know it unless they were told. And there are also those who would rather not admit that they can't hear well enough to understand conversations.
Trouble hearing in noisy places like restaurants
If you're struggling to understand your waiter in a restaurant, it might be time to stop and think about whether that's normal. Or is it just that everyone else seems to have no problem hearing the person right next to them? Maybe they're just having a better time than you are.
If you find yourself struggling in restaurants (or any other noisy environment), don't panic yet! It could be that your hearing is perfectly fine—just deafened by the din around you.
Avoiding social situations because you can't hear well
You’re hearing impaired, but you just can’t get yourself to go to a big party—the kind where your friends go all out with the decorations and there are tons of people you don’t know. All that noise is going to be too much for you, right? It might seem like a good way to stay in and protect your ears, but it isn't a healthy solution.
If avoiding social situations is becoming part of your routine, it could mean that you're experiencing hearing loss. Just like any other medical condition, hearing loss affects different people differently.
If you notice any of these signs, consider getting your hearing checked. It's never too late to start listening to what your ears are saying!
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained, are strictly for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.
Sources used:
Mayo Clinic: Hearing loss
CDC: Summary Health Statistics for U.S.Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012
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