Hearing loss usually begins subtly. You may dismiss your need for people to repeat themselves as them mumbling or background noise. But as you reflect on this moment, a question emerges: Am I losing my hearing? It will be easier to identify whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that go along with hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss comes with softer sounds
When normal sounds seem softer than they once did, this is a common sign of conductive hearing loss. You might not even recognize that you’ve been turning the volume of the television up or that your friends and family regularly ask you to “speak up”.
What you may hear:
- The need for individuals to speak louder
- In settings where there is a lot of background noise, you have a more difficult time hearing clearly
- The volume of sounds seem lower than they used to
Conductive hearing loss frequently makes everyday sounds seem far off or muffled.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will frequently also be distorted for someone who has sensorineural hearing loss. Conversations might feel challenging as you struggle to differentiate between similar sounds.
What you might hear:
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
- Speech that sounds muddled or distorted
- Misunderstandings because you can’t distinguish vowels from consonants
This distorted speech can cause you to misinterpret important details without even realizing it, which can produce barriers in communication and frustration.
Tinnitus symptoms
Hearing loss often comes with tinnitus symptoms. It can manifest as consistent or intermittent sounds that overlap with outside noises.
You may hear the following:
- Whistling or hissing sounds that seem to come from within
- Ocean-like waves, crickets chirping, or the whooshing of wind
- Static, buzzing, or even a catchy melody stuck on repeat
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can significantly impact quality of life.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss generally develops slowly, and being conscious of sounds that come along with it is crucial for early treatment. It’s probably time to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you find yourself having difficulty following along with conversations or needing people to frequently repeat themselves.
When is it time for a hearing test?
If you suspect you are experiencing any form of hearing loss or tinnitus, scheduling a hearing test is crucial. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and supply you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be significantly improved by knowing what hearing loss sounds like. The health of your hearing is important so don’t wait to get the help you need.
Call us today to schedule your hearing test.