Knowing whether you have hearing loss isn’t always as obvious as chronic pain or other medical issues. Much like vision loss—when you may start holding books closer to read or squinting while driving at night—the signs of hearing loss are usually subtle and gradual. In fact, they can even blend in with your life.
So, how do you know if you should have your hearing examined by a professional?
Here are 6 signs that may indicate a hearing loss:
1. You can “hear” but understanding is tricky.
For example: Your companion arrives home to tell you about their weekly pickleball game but lately they sound more like they’re mumbling or talking too quickly. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone—it’s a common reason why people with hearing loss may not recognize it right away.
2. Conversations are getting harder to keep up with.
Think about family gatherings, restaurant outings, and so forth: Are you finding that it’s become difficult to follow others’ news because of the background noise—and even when it isn’t particularly crowded? This is one of the first challenges people who are hard of hearing encounter.
3. You’ve been asking others to repeat themselves.
Maybe you find you’re saying “What?” more often to colleagues, the barista, or anyone else you speak with throughout your day. Or that women and children (or other high-frequency sounds like birds chirping) are especially sounding softer. These symptoms could indicate hearing issues.
4. You rely on others to understand conversations.
Do you tend to have a “wing-person” (such as a family member or friend) help fill in the missed parts of conversations? This can be expected with hearing loss—when the brain isn’t receiving enough auditory information to understand what’s being said and may be needing some help with the cognitive load.
5. You tend to turn up the volume.
Frequently boosting the TV volume louder than the person watching with you—usually in the attempt to hear speech—is another telltale sign you may want to have your hearing tested.
6. Talking on the phone is tough.
If you dread it when the phone rings because it’s difficult to understand people on the other line, you may be experiencing hearing loss. Phone calls in particular can be challenging because the acoustic/sound information is limited and there aren’t any visual cues to help with understanding. (Poor reception and reliance on one ear can also make hearing matters worse.)
Hearing tests are painless and typically free
If any of these signs sound familiar to you, the smart course of action is to get a simple hearing evaluation by a licensed hearing care professional. Hearing exams are painless, often free, and can help determine if you even have hearing loss (sometimes it’s earwax blockage or other issues—which you’d still want to treat, regardless).
If you do have hearing loss, that same hearing care professional can assess it and consult with you about your options. And if they recommend hearing aids as a solution, know you’re in great hands with our latest hearing technology.
As it stands, experts recommend hearing screenings every 5 years for adults aged 50–64, and every 1–3 years for adults aged 65 and older. So, think of your hearing evaluation like your routine physical or eye exam: You’re taking preventative measures against cognitive decline and dementia (both are linked to hearing loss) while helping to ensure you’ll never miss a moment.
Remember, even if hearing loss is a part of your life—it’s one that is often very treatable.
Schedule a hearing evaluation now—simply type your zip code in here to generate a list of hearing care professionals near you.