Signs You May Need to Have Your Hearing Tested

There are many signs that can indicate hearing loss is present. There are also many excuses associated with having hearing loss as well.  Hearing loss is more common than most people think, due mainly to the fact that hearing protection was not enforced until recently so many from the Great Generation, Baby Boomers and Generation X have work-related hearing loss.  That is not to say the later generations, Generation Y and Generation Z, do not have hearing loss, because they do, but from different sources.

Older generations tend to have hearing loss from working in loud factories without any form of hearing protection.  While the younger generations tend to have hearing loss due to their extracurricular activities such as concerts, loud music through earbuds or headphones and loud vehicles with even louder stereo systems.  It does not take much to induce hearing loss, especially if you are repeatedly exposed to it.  On average, all it takes is 85 decibels a few hours a day to cause damage, but that is not to say that long exposure to sounds at even 75 decibels cannot cause hearing loss, because it can.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you have problems hearing what people are saying in loud environments?
2. Do you have problems hearing what people are saying in quiet environments?
3. Do you constantly have to ask others to repeat themselves no matter what type of environment you are in?
4. Do you feel embarrassed to ask people to repeat themselves and nod along with the conversation, never really taking part in the conversation?
5. Do you tend to tilt your “better ear” towards the conversation?
6. Do you find that others “mumble” when they talk to you?
7. Do you find it hard to understand someone when they are not facing you directly?
8. Do you have problems hearing the television or radio?
9. Do you constantly have to keep turning the volume up to hear better?
10. Do you have problems hearing the other person you are talking to on the phone?
11. Do you have problems hearing higher-pitched voices than lower-pitched voices, such as those of a woman or a child?
12. Do you tend to avoid certain social situations because you have problems hearing?

If you happen to answer yes to any of these questions, you might have some form of hearing loss and you should seek out a professional to have your hearing tested.  Setting an early baseline for your hearing is important so that any changes in the future are noticed right away.

Having hearing loss should not be embarrassing.  Many people have it; it is just knowing what to do if you have it.  Technology in hearing aids today is amazing.  They make it easier to function normally daily and are less noticeable, which makes it easier to overcome the embarrassment associated at times with hearing loss.