Hearing Loss Signs

Hearing loss in adults can develop gradually over several years, most people are not aware of the extent of their loss until family or friends bring it to their attention. Knowing the risk factors and recognizing the symptoms of hearing loss in yourself or someone you know is the first step to improving the situation.

The following conditions are risk factors for hearing loss and should be evaluated as soon as possible.

YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARING LOSS IF YOU . . .

• Require others to repeat what they say.
• Have difficulty understanding conversations involving more than 2 people.
• Think that other people sound muffled or sound like they’re mumbling.
• Have difficulty hearing in restaurants, theatres, or crowded meeting rooms.
• Trouble hearing or understanding children and women when they are speaking.
• Have your TV or radio turned up to a high volume.
• Read lips or more intently watch people’s faces when they speak with you.

Emotional:

• Feel stress from straining to hear what others are saying.
• Annoyed that others speak too fast or soft and you can’t hear or understand them.
• Embarrassed when misunderstanding what others are saying.
• Nervous to go somewhere because it is hard to hear and understand people speaking.
• Withdraw from social situations that you once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing.

• Family history of hearing loss.
• Take medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic drugs).
• Have diabetes, dementia, heart, circulation or thyroid problems.
• Exposure to very loud sounds over a long period or single exposure to explosive noise.
• Dizziness or balance problem
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Muffled or plugged ears