Signs of a hearing loss
- It sounds as though people are mumbling
- You turn the volume on the TV louder than where others typically listen
- You can hear people talk, but don’t understand all the words
- You ask people to repeat
- It is difficult to understand a speaker as a meeting
- It is especially difficult to understand women and children
- Family / friends suggest you might have a hearing problem
- It is difficult to understand speech when you are in a noisy environments
- It is difficult to hear during worship services
- You hear a ringing/buzzing in your ears
Many of us don't notice the early signs of hearing loss because we slowly adjust to the change. By the time we realize what's happening, we may have already lost the full appreciation of sounds and music we once enjoyed. Most persons take 7 – 10 years to seek treatment. The longer a person waits to have their hearing loss diagnosed and to the process of hearing better, the more difficult the rehabilitation process can be. Check out the signs and symptoms below. If you or a loved one is experiencing some of the following symptoms, take our online hearing quiz or contact us to schedule a free hearing screening.
Side Effects
There are many complex consequences of hearing loss, especially if left untreated. Many relationships can suffer because of emotional conflicts that occur when there are general miscommunications between family members. Generally, it's not only the person with a hearing disability that feels isolated, but others around them who feel they are not being "heard" or paid attention to, especially when the hearing loss has been gradual.
People with untreated hearing loss report:
- Less social activity
- More episodes of sadness and depression
- More episodes of feeling tense, irritable or anxious
People with treated hearing loss report:
- Better relationships with their families
- Greater independence
- Improved social life
Many studies have been conducted to examine the complex side effects untreated hearing loss can have on a person’s life. One study found that individuals with hearing aids tended to earn more money over the course of a lifetime compared with those with untreated hearing loss? Why? It is thought to be from missed socially opportunities that kept the individual with untreated hearing loss from advancing in the way that those with hearing aids could. Another study found that on average, people with hearing aids live two years longer in their own homes compared to those with untreated hearing loss? The reason? The individuals with hearing aids were more socially active, which in turn kept them happier and in better health.
The average person with hearing loss waits 7 years before seeking treatment. This is partially because most hearing loss tends to occur gradually over time, causing people to slowly lose a reference of what normal hearing really is. The longer someone goes without seeking help for their hearing loss, the more difficult if becomes to treat that loss.
