10 Ways to Identify Hearing Loss
Identifying a hearing loss is easy, right? It might surprise you to learn that identifying a hearing loss is not actually as easy as it sounds. Hearing loss tends to happen gradually. The result of this gradual loss of hearing is that you often don’t notice it. In fact, more often than not it’s family members or loved ones who first notice signs of hearing loss.
Hearing loss is more common than you may realize. It’s estimated that almost 29 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Millions more are exposed to dangerous levels of noise on a regular basis.
It’s not unusual for many people to think of hearing loss as a natural part of aging. Approximately 1 in 3 people between 65-74 years old have a hearing loss. This rises to almost half of adults over the age of 75. While age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is one reason to ensure you stay on top of your hearing assessment, it’s important to note that younger adults and children can experience hearing loss. Environmental factors including loud noise, certain medications and health conditions can also play a role in hearing loss.
10 Ways To Identify Hearing Loss
Early detection of a hearing impairment greatly improves the chances that your hearing care professional can help. We’ve put together 10 “yes” or “no” questions that can help you determine if you need to get your hearing assessed by a hearing care specialist.
- Do you have difficulty understanding conversations on the phone? Do you rely on speakerphone to help?
- If multiple people are speaking at once, do you struggle to follow the conversation?
- Do you believe that a lot of people around you are mumbling?
- Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
- Have your friends or family mentioned that you listen to your T.V. or music very loudly?
- Do you find it difficult to understand soft-spoken individuals, such as women or children?
- Do people get frustrated that you regularly misinterpret what they’re saying?
- Do you struggle to understand someone if you cannot see their face or mouth when they are speaking to you?
- Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy environment?
- Do you experience symptoms of tinnitus, such as a ringing, hissing or clicking in your ear, especially when you’re in a quiet environment?
If you answered “yes” to three or more of these questions, we advise scheduling a hearing assessment. At Anderson Audiology, our experienced hearing care professionals will determine your baseline hearing, determine if you have a hearing loss, and explore options that can help.
Schedule an appointment today with one of our hearing professionals at one of our five convenient audiology clinic locations in southern Nevada.