People often notice the signs of hearing loss and ignore them. They try to blame the signs on things that are temporary, such as a sinus infection that is muffling their hearing. However, there are certain signs of hearing loss that should not be ignored.
Anyone who believes they may be experiencing hearing loss should see a doctor right away. What are some symptoms that indicate it is time to make an appointment with a hearing specialist?
Difficulty Hearing in Crowds
A person might first notice their hearing loss when they are out to dinner with a loved one or friends. They cannot hear what others are saying, although the background noise seems to be at a normal level. This is not uncommon, as people often find they cannot hear high-frequency sounds. Sounds with a low frequency are heard normally, so they don’t realize they have a hearing problem. They just assume the other person is talking quietly. This is actually a sign of hearing loss, and a doctor should be seen promptly.
Inability to Distinguish Where a Sound is Coming From
A person might hear a sound and wonder where it is coming from. Often, the loss of hearing comes with the inability to localize sound. This becomes an issue because a person won’t hear naturally and comfortably if they cannot tell where sounds are coming from. Furthermore, this loss of hearing can actually put them in harm’s way, as they may not hear oncoming traffic or an object that is falling that could hurt them. An appointment needs to be made with a hearing specialist as soon as a person realizes they cannot tell where sounds are coming from.
Balance Issues
A person’s sense of balance actually begins in their ear, but many people don’t realize this. In fact, most of the vestibular system, the system responsible for spatial awareness and balance, is found in the ear. When a person has an ear infection or the common cold, they might find their balance is affected. However, hearing loss can also lead to an inability to balance and a higher risk of a fall. Any time a person has an issue with their balance, they should see a doctor. The doctor can determine if there is a medical condition leading to the problem or if a hearing specialist must be seen.
Increased Volume
People might find they are turning their TV or radio up louder to hear what is being said. This is a sign of hearing loss that quite a few people ignore. They blame it on road noise or other people in the home rather than attributing this problem to hearing loss. People often laugh about how they turn the radio down to see better but ignore that they turn the radio up to hear better. This is a sign that there may be a problem with their hearing, and it should not be ignored.
Many people visit a hearing specialist only to find they have a medical condition that can be treated and restore their full hearing. Other individuals, however, find they need hearing aids or other devices so they can hear clearly once again. As a loss of hearing puts a person more at risk of social isolation, dementia, and more, this is one problem that can never be ignored. Make an appointment with a hearing specialist today.