It might not be a pleasant thought, but there’s a good chance our hearing – like our eyesight – will worsen as we get older. But if it does, when will you notice it? It can be easy to identify in others, but how can you spot hearing loss when it’s happening to you?
It might seem like a question with an obvious answer
“Of course I’d notice if my hearing got worse!” If only things were that simple. Hearing loss and the symptoms of hearing loss only reveal themselves over a long period of time – gradually, almost imperceptibly. That’s why regular hearing tests are highly recommended, to track changes in your hearing.
Everyone should take a hearing test, but for many people, the urgency increases if they find a change in their behaviour that could be caused by hearing loss.
Book a hearing test if you are experiencing one or more of these signs of hearing loss…
Turning up the TV
Are you turning the volume dial a little higher? Or playing music at a higher volume than usual? Perhaps even to the point that your partner,close friends or family are finding it excessively loud? It could be the first sign of hearing loss.
Regularly asking people to repeat themselves
It’s perfectly natural to occasionally ask someone to repeat what they said, it happens to everyone. But if it starts happening more often, it could be a warning sign.
Frequently missing words in conversations
Again, conversations are imperfect and organic — everyone misses words here and there. But if you’re missing key information, it could be down to hearing loss.
Finding that listening has become hard work
The process of hearing starts in the ears and ends in the brain, and that means the brain has to put in a lot of legwork to make sense of sounds. As the brain compensates for hearing loss, feelings of fatigue can set in.
Withdrawing from social occasions
Our ability to hear is important to our social lives. Hearing loss can lead us to withdraw from social situations. The impact is serious: feelings of isolation and loneliness can lead to depression and other mental health conditions. In fact, hearing loss increases the risk of developing dementia by up to five times.
Showing signs of hearing loss symptoms?
Don’t stress, get a test! If you have experienced any of these, call The Hearing Care Partnership today on 0800 52 00 546 or book your hearing test online.