Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it difficult to recognize the early signs. If you or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms, it may be time to get your hearing checked.

Recognizing the Early Signs

Are you or your loved one developing hearing issues?

1. Difficulty in Understanding Conversations

• Struggling to hear speech, especially in noisy environments.
• You often complain that you think others mumble.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
• Misinterpreting words, leading to awkward or incorrect responses.

2. Reading Lips/Watching Faces Intently During Conversations

Many individuals with hearing loss unconsciously start reading lips or focusing intently on the speaker’s face to follow conversations. This is especially common in children, which is why hearing loss often goes undiagnosed in younger age groups.

3. Increasing TV or Phone Volume

• Needing to turn up the volume on the TV or phone louder than your family needs it at.
• Finding it hard to understand conversations over the phone.

4. Trouble Hearing in Groups

• Difficulty following multiple speakers in meetings or social gatherings.
• Not participating in conversations because speech sounds unclear.
• Conscious of hearing the wrong thing and hence giving an unrelated response.

5. Struggling with High-Pitched Sounds

• Missing common sounds like doorbells, alarms, or phone notifications.
• Difficulty hearing the voices of children and women.

6. Tinnitus (Ringing-in-the-Ears)

• Experiencing persistent ringing in the ears.
• Tinnitus can be a warning sign of early hearing loss.

7. Feeling Fatigued After Conversations

• Having to put more effort into listening leads to fatigue or headaches.
• Struggling to concentrate due to listening difficulties.

8. Avoiding Social Situations

• Withdrawing from conversations or social events due to difficulty in hearing.
• Feeling isolated, frustrated, or anxious in group settings.

Why Early Detection Matters

Untreated hearing loss can lead to:

1. Cognitive decline and memory issues (dementia).
2. Social withdrawal and increased risk of depression.
3. Auditory deprivation – where the brain gradually loses the ability to process sound.