Are you worried you or your loved one could be experiencing hearing loss? Hearing loss can happen to anyone- from children to seniors. Almost half of the population aged 65 and above experience some degree of hearing loss. 

There are three types of hearing loss: 

  • Sensorineural 
  • Conductive
  • Mixed

Chronic exposure to loud noises and aging can both contribute to hearing impairment. Other factors include some illnesses, heredity, head trauma and tumors, and some medicine. Hearing loss is irreversible, but your audiologist may take steps to enhance what you hear. 

Here are symptoms that you might not be hearing at your best. 

Common Sounds Disappearing 

You’re taking a nature walk, and you cannot hear birds chirping, or you no longer hear cars hooting. Take a moment and think, do you hear crickets creeping? Can you hear your children speak? 

These are familiar sounds people hear often. But if you notice none of them, then you may be experiencing hearing loss. Usually, these high-pitched voices and sounds register frequencies of about 2,000Hz. So, if you have trouble hearing them, it means you have a high-frequency hearing loss. 

Consonant Sounds Are Difficult to Hear 

You might lose your ability to hear consonant sounds. Did you hear throw or show? Sounds like F, S, V, K, P, Th, and Sh help you distinguish words like keep, peep, and so on. With a hearing loss, you may end up responding inappropriately while having conversations. People might also think you’re mumbling. This may make you lose confidence conversing. 

Listening Becomes Straining and Exhausting 

If listening to conversations becomes straining and you feel more tired than usual, you may have a hearing loss. Like a poor phone connection of a fading radio state, you’ll have difficulty following a conversation. 

You might also need to keep telling people to repeat what they’re saying. When the auditory system is compromised, your brain takes more effort to process the sound received in the inner ear. in short, the signal is broken. 

Inability to Understand Speeches in Crowded Places 

If you have difficulty distinguishing speeches in crowded or noisy environments, you might be experiencing hearing loss. You might find yourself dodging social gatherings and family get-togethers. 

Ears Ringing Constantly

Ringing in the ear or tinnitus is a symptom that the auditory system has an issue. The whirring or buzzing sound can be soft or loud. Both noise-induced and age-related hearing loss can cause ringing of the ear. 

The Solution 

Hearing loss is irreversible but manageable. It can be treated with cochlear implants or hearing aids. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment. The untreated condition can lead to issues such as isolation, anxiety, anger, frustration. 

Today’s hearing gadgets are sophisticated, with the ability to amplify frequencies you may be missing. The audiologist will evaluate your situation and recommend the best solution for your hearing loss. 

In the meantime, ensure you avoid places with high noise levels. Alternatively, wearing headphones can also help. Even if you’re not experiencing these symptoms, don’t wait for the problem to occur. Schedule an annual hearing examination.