How Do I Know If I Have Hearing Loss?
How do i know if have hearing loss? Good question! Do you work in a noisy environment? Do you enjoy hobbies or recreation which are surrounded by loud noises? How do you like to spend your weekends? Fast cars, snowmobiles, live music maybe. You could have hearing loss simply from prolonged exposure to these noises. Those aren’t the only factors. Genetics, injury to the ear, medications can all play a role in hearing loss.
10 Signs of Hearing Loss
The CDC lists 10 signs of hearing loss. If you have any of these signs you may suffer from hearing loss:
- Speech and other sounds seem muffled
- Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds (e.g., birds, doorbell, telephone, alarm clock)
- Difficulty understanding conversations when you are in a noisy place, such as a restaurant
- Trouble understanding speech over the phone
- Difficulty hearing speech consonants (e.g., trouble hearing the difference between s and f, between p and t, or between sh and th in speech)
- Asking others to speak more slowly and clearly
- Asking someone to speak more loudly or repeat what they said
- Turning up the volume of the television or radio
- Ringing in the ears
- Hypersensitivity to certain sounds (certain sounds are very bothersome or create pain)
Are you showing any of these signs of hearing loss? You should get your hearing checked. Simply give us a call to book an appointment. We can help you answer the question How do i know if i have hearing loss?
What is a hearing evaluation?
Hearing evaluations typically start with a quick look in the ear canal with a special light (otoscope). A videotoscope is often used so you can also view whats in your ear on a screen. From there our audiologist may have you listen to different sounds through headphones. This helps identify the softest sounds you can hear. The audiologist may have you repeat lists of words or complete other special tests. Once all of the testing is done the Audiologist is going to interpret the results for you and provide you with recommendations.
Next Steps
If you think you have hearing loss or may be at risk for hearing loss its never too soon to book a hearing test. Having a baseline test will allow you to know if there have been subtle changes in your hearing over time. In addition you may be at risk due to family history or medication. Its your hearing. Its important. Get it checked!
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/how_do_i_know_if_i_have_hearing_loss.html