7 Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss

According to the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA), 17% of the American population has some degree of hearing loss, and yet only about 20% of those seek treatment. Believe it or not, hearing loss can sneak up on you. It can happen so gradually that you’re not aware of it, or the symptoms are so subtle that you ignore them. That’s why it pays to be aware. The earlier you get treatment for hearing loss, the better.

Why is it important to detect hearing loss early? Hearing impairment is linked with other health problems, including dementia, a higher risk for falls, and depression.  When left untreated, the portions of your brain involved in interpreting sound shrink in size, making it harder for you to adapt to a hearing aid once you do seek help. Some studies even show a link between hearing loss and faster age-related brain shrinkage.

So what can you do to avoid problems like this? First, get a hearing test at age 50 or anytime you have symptoms suggestive of hearing loss.

Here are some signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Problems following a conversation when more than one person is talking. Group conversations are often challenging when you have hearing loss.
• Difficulty hearing when you’re in a noisy area, like a restaurant, or in a social situation
• Problems hearing women’s voices. (suggestive of high-frequency hearing loss)
• Muffled hearing
• Increasing the volume on the television or radio to hear
• Having the perception that other people are mumbling
• Having to ask others to repeat what they’re saying 

Often, friends or family are the first to notice when a family member has problems hearing. So, if someone talks to you about your hearing, don’t take it personally – take action by getting a hearing test. Hearing loss isn’t something to sweep under the carpet hoping it will go away. It won’t. Do yourself a favor have your hearing tested by an audiologist.

References:

American Speech, Language, Hearing Association. Untreated hearing loss in adults – A growing national epidemic. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/Aud/Articles/Untreated-Hearing-Loss-in-Adults/

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2014). Hearing loss linked to accelerated brain tissue loss.  Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/hearing_loss_linked_to_accelerated_brain_tissue_loss_