Common Signs of Hearing Loss

1. You can hear, but you can't understand the words clearly.
   Note: Among the first sounds which "disappear" are high pitched sounds including women's and children's voices, birds chirping, turn signals and high pitched consonant sounds in words like "dime", "time", and "bake", "take".
2. You have difficulty hearing in background noise (e.g. restaurants, movies, churches, performance theaters, bars, etc.)
3. You have difficulty understanding what is being said unless you are directly facing the person speaking.
4. You feel people mumble or slur their words.
5. You have ringing or buzzing in the ears.
   Note: Tinnitus is the name of these sounds and is caused by hearing loss, middle ear disorders, and many non-ear related causes.This may be a signal that you should be seen by an Audiologist or Specialist to rule out any ear disorders.
6. You have to ask people to repeat words or phrases, though they feel they are speaking loud enough.
7. You prefer the TV or radio louder than others.
8. You have difficulty understanding conversation in a group of people.
9. You are beginning to avoid social occasions, public facilities, group meetings, or family gatherings where listening may be difficult for you.
10. You frequently nod your head "yes" in agreement when you are not fully sure what someone has said.

Finding Help For Hearing Loss

If you suspect you have some hearing loss, contact an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist for a professional hearing assessment. Hearing loss can occur at any age and for many reasons. In adults, however, one of the most common periods for hearing loss to begin is between ages 40 and 55 years. Surprisingly, you may not be aware if you have a hearing impairment. Some forms of hearing loss are very mild and may only involve difficulty in hearing certain sounds or hearing in specific situations. Additionally, some types of hearing loss may occur so gradually that they progress without you even noticing.

With today’s advanced technology, nearly every individual with a hearing loss can be helped. Some impairments may need medical or surgical attention, while many can be helped by a properly fitted hearing instrument.