There are too many people in the world that are experiencing hearing loss and don’t even realize it. Because of this, they aren’t wearing hearing equipment. Without the digital hearing aids that are available these days or any other kind of listening device, life can be pretty dangerous if you are used to relying on your ability to hear. Simple things like crossing the street become life threatening because you can’t hear an approaching car or their horn. If you think that you might be experiencing some hearing loss, then here are a few symptoms that you can look for in yourself.
- Mumbling People
If you feel like people around you are constantly mumbling, this might be a sign that you need hearing equipment. If it’s just a couple of people over the course of a few weeks, then don’t worry too much. However, if it seems like everyone is mumbling and you are constantly having to ask people to repeat themselves or talk louder, you might want to see a doctor and check if you are experiencing hearing loss of any kind. - Ringing Ears
Ringing in your ears or Tinnitus, happens to everyone at some point or another. It can come from listening to excessive noise like at a concert. That kind will clear up on its own. More serious ringing issues can come from ear tumors, aging, disease or injuries may require changing your medication, removing earwax or surgery. If you are noticing ringing in the ears along with some of these other symptoms, that’s why you might need to consider the fact that you are going to need hearing equipment. - Talking too Loud
Do people complain about you talking too loud? This is different than just having a naturally loud voice. Many people have that booming voice and most people get louder with excitement. However, this is just talking about being loud all the time for no other reason than you can’t hear yourself very well. This will be particularly true when it comes to talking on the phone. Phone conversations will be very difficult if you are beginning to lose your hearing. You may feel like there is something wrong with your phone because the volume does not go up as much as it used to but really, it is your ears that aren’t as loud as they once were. - Playing Music too Loud
This one is a bit of a conundrum. If you are experiencing hearing loss, you’ll want to turn up the music and television to be able to hear it. However, this could be the very thing that is damaging your inner ear. If you seem to be the only one in the family that feels like your music or TV show is at an appropriate level, consider seeing a doctor about hearing equipment. - Not Following Conversation
As the hearing loss progresses, you may find that you have difficulty keeping up when you are talking in a group setting. This is because there are people all around you and if someone talks in an area that is too far from you or where your ear is not facing, you’ll miss that portion of the conversation and spend the next few minutes trying to figure out what you are missing. - Loss of Small Sound
If all of the other symptoms are happening to you, set up a little test for yourself. Have a family member ring the doorbell or let the faucet drip. Step further and further away from it until you can no longer hear the sounds. Compare that to the distance that another person can go and still hear the normal household sounds. If the distance between the two of you is very great, it’s time to see a doctor.
Losing sound can be very frightening but you don’t have to settle for it. Technology has advanced so much in this day and age that you can get hearing aids that no one can see. They don’t have to wrap around your ears and the back of your head like they used to. In fact, there are ear pieces that you can pop into your ear and they disappear. No one will even know they are there.
