Hearing loss tends to go unnoticed in the early stages because the process is so gradual. Many people wait much longer than they should to seek professional help. When you are able to understand the early signs of hearing loss coupled with the benefits of early intervention, it is possible to take proactive steps that will preserve your hearing and improve your overall quality of life. Let’s get started.
Common Early Signs of Hearing Loss
There are subtle signs that may indicate the onset of hearing loss that need to be monitored. These can include:
- Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Environments—When in a location with lots of background noise, like a restaurant or social gathering, early hearing loss symptoms may make it difficult to follow conversations.
- Asking People to Repeat Themselves – Asking someone to repeat themselves, especially in group conversations, is a sign that hearing loss may be present.
- Turning Up the Volume – Turning up the volume on the television, phone, or radio, or not being able to hear them at all, is a red flag that hearing sensitivity is decreasing.
- Buzzing or Ringing in the Ears – One common companion of hearing loss is tinnitus. Tinnitus can create a persistent and annoying buzzing or ringing in the ears.
- Exhaustion Following Social interactions – When you have hearing loss, social interactions can mean straining to understand speech or follow conversations well. This can be mentally exhausting and lead to fatigue after events.
If these signs sound familiar, in whole or part, you should consult a hearing health professional as soon as possible. It is best to have your hearing checked before problems get worse.
The Importance of Early Detection
The earlier hearing loss is detected, the more likely treatments can help. Early intervention can also prevent social, cognitive, and emotional challenges that tend to go hand in hand with untreated hearing loss.
Untreated hearing loss over time can lead to frustration, communication breakdowns, and even withdrawal from most social interactions. As time goes on, these changes can cause an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Some studies have even shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to dementia and declining cognition. This means that the sooner you take action against worsening hearing, the better off you will be.
How Hearing Health Professionals Can Help
A hearing health professional specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing issues. They will assess your ability to hear and recommend solutions appropriate for your situation. If hearing loss is found, they may suggest hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or some other treatment based on the severity of the diagnosis.
Rest assured that hearing tests are painless and typically only involve listening to a series of sounds that arrive at different volumes and frequencies. Based on the results of the tests, a hearing health professional will tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs so you receive the best possible outcome.
Proactive Steps to Improved Hearing Help
There are a few things you can do on your own to maintain good hearing health.
- Avoid Loud Noises—Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent damage to the inner ear. If you are going to spend time in noisy environments like construction sites, concerts, or races with loud vehicles, it’s a good idea to wear ear protection.
- Clean Ears—To keep your ears clean of wax and debris, use a soft cloth to clean the outer part of the ear. Avoid using cotton swabs in the ear canal, as these can push wax deeper into the ear.
- Overall Health Maintenance – Overall health, especially cardiovascular health, is closely linked to hearing health. Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking to help preserve your hearing.
Don’t wait until hearing loss has become a barrier and lessens your quality of life. Instead, schedule a hearing exam today and start taking steps toward hearing health.
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