10 Warning Signs of Hearing Loss
| 2 min read
Listening to music on the radio, watching television or having a conversation with friends at a party are all common activities that can be frustrating for people with hearing loss.
According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, hearing loss is one of the most common health problems affecting Americans, following arthritis and heart disease. In fact, there are an estimated 38 million Americans with hearing loss, but only about 8 million of them have hearing aids. This means the majority of Americans with hearing loss live each day with the challenges of a communication disability.
The National Institutes of Health offers the following warning signs of hearing loss:
- Certain sounds seeming too loud
- Difficulty following conversations when two or more people are talking
- Difficulty hearing in noisy areas
- Trouble telling high-pitched sounds (such as “s” or “th”) from one another
- Less trouble hearing men’s voices than women’s voices
- Problems hearing when there is background noise
- Hearing voices as mumbled or slurred
- Feeling of being off-balance or dizzy
- Feeling of pressure in the ear
- Ringing or buzzing sound in the ears
Untreated hearing loss can have serious consequences including sadness, depression and isolation. Getting hearing aids is a life-changing event—but not in the way you might expect. Many people put off testing their hearing out of fear, without realizing the positive effect hearing aids can have on their quality of life.
Studies have found that people who wear hearing aids have higher satisfaction with their lives, are more physically active, report greater levels of emotional stability, and improved social relationships. Hearing aids can also help reduce friction between spouses and improve relationships with loved ones.
If you’ve been struggling with hearing loss, make time to get your hearing tested.
Photo Credit: flash.pro
