The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.” Because hearing loss is a progressive condition, meaning it develops slowly over time, many people are unaware they have it until it has advanced to a stage that can’t easily be treated. This is why it’s important to be aware of the early warning signs of hearing loss, which we review below.
You Can Hear, But Not Understand
It’s common for people with hearing loss to feel that they can hear just fine, but they have trouble understanding what is said. This is because, in most cases, high-frequency sounds like consonants are the first to go, making it hard to tell whether someone said “throw the ball” or “show the ball.”
Ringing in the Ears
Within the inner ear is the cochlea, which is lined with tiny hair cells called stereocilia. These cells convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. When loud sounds enter the ears or the cells are deprived of blood supply, it can damage them, causing hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Missing Sounds
Think back to the last time you could hear the birds singing in the morning or the crunch of leaves under foot. If it’s been a while since you’ve heard these sounds and now they’re missing, this is a good indicator you have early hearing loss.
Background Noise Is Challenging
A notoriously difficult listening situation for people with early hearing loss is any place with a lot of background noise. If you have trouble following along with conversations with friends at Bestia, it’s time to schedule a hearing test.
Listening Is Exhausting
Even in the early stages, many people with hearing loss experience a phenomenon audiologists refer to as listening fatigue. Listening fatigue describes the feelings of tiredness and exhaustion after straining to keep up with conversations and respond appropriately to questions.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for a hearing test, call The House Institute today.