In order to have a balanced life it is always wise to continue to learn about your body, so that before any real damage is done you can do something about it. If you have a history of hearing loss in your family or believe you might face hearing concerns in life, it is smart to discuss and identify the early signs of hearing loss.
The identification of the early signs or symptoms is actually quite common, yet people often fail to recognize that they are suffering from loss of hearing at all until they are experiencing a drastic change. There are various reasons for losses of hearing as well as various types.
The most basic reason for hearing loss is Presbycusis, which is hearing loss due to the aging process. Typically hearing loss due to age is determined by genetics, exposure to loud sounds throughout your lifetime, and general overall health. Even though hearing loss due to age happens at different rates and affects each individual differently during their life, one thing is typical for all – it happens slowly. But here are some early signs that are often passed off as simply part of the aging process.
The Conversational Jumble
If it becomes hard to understand words or sentences in a conversation among two or three people this might very well be one of the earliest signs of hear loss. Especially if you are experiencing problems understanding the majority of conversations in public.
The TV Volume
Another early sign, and a good indicator, of hearing loss is when an individual starts watching their TV with the volume turned up relatively higher than before. If say you used to watch your favorite shows around volume levels 20-30 but now need to turn everything up to 30-40+, this should be taken as a sign.
Needing To Have Things Repeated
Often it happens that the most common symptom of loss of hearing observed in people is the fact that they require other people to repeat what they say regularly. This need for repetition might be so common that they might ask around 3-4 times in a 5 minute conversation for someone to repeat parts of a conversation.
Yelling
It often happens that people who are suffering from hearing loss in the initial stages begin speaking louder to other people. Inside their own heads their voice does not seem as loud and other people's voices resonate less than before. So they often begin talking louder to try to balance the levels they are internally used to.
Missing Sounds Around The Home
Your pattern of your daily life changes to quite an extent because of the fact that you're unable to hear things like you used to. Some examples could be not hearing the alarm clock like before, missing quiet noises around the home, and possibly not hearing appliances or items around the home so they are left on without you recognizing that they are on.
Phone Difficulties
Without a doubt talking on the phone becomes hard for people suffering with hearing loss, as it becomes extremely difficult to keep the conversation going through a small speaker. Someone beginning to experience hearing loss will likely struggle to follow conversations over the phone or will constantly need the person on the other end of the line to speak up.
If you or someone you know is starting to exhibit some of these signs, especially more than one, it is time to have a hearing exam done.
Dementia & Hearing Loss Link
A recent study from John Hopkins reports Hearing Loss is linked to Dementia, falls, and walking problems. The report show that 52% of untreated hearing loss had a greater risk of developing dementia, 41% risk of depression, and 30% risk of falls. Here at Beltone we provide our patients with free hearing tests, free hearing aid adjustments, free cleanings, and free in-office repairs. A Beltone patient can get their cleanings, adjustments, and in-office repairs at any of the 1,800 Beltone's in the nation at no charge. With 80 years of experience Beltone goes above and beyond for their patients. We have the most advance technology in hearing aids that is award winning. Beltone is rated number 1 in sound quality. Call us today for a free consultation and hearing test.