Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the global population. Despite its prevalence, many people miss the signs of hearing loss, often causing them to go years without seeking treatment. Let’s take a look at five common signs of hearing loss to help you identify the condition in yourself or your loved ones.
1. You Have Difficulty Following Along in Conversations
A 2022 study by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) found that despite 91% of participants saying they rate their hearing as good, more than a third admit to pretending to follow conversations they struggled to hear.
Difficulty following along with conversations is one of the most common signs of hearing loss. With mild hearing loss, you may notice it during conversations amidst background noise or with more than one person. As hearing loss progresses, even direct conversations with only one person may start to feel out of reach.
2. Other People Find Your TV or Radio Volume Uncomfortably High
With hearing loss, you may raise the volume of your TV or radio higher than you used to without even realizing it. If other people tell you your audio is uncomfortable or unusually loud, or you find subtitles more necessary than you used to, it might be time for a hearing test.
3. You Avoid Social Interactions
When communication feels difficult, especially in loud or busy environments, it often feels easier to avoid social situations than struggle through them. The constant effort to follow conversations, combined with the stress of background noise, can make social gatherings feel more exhausting than enjoyable. Over time, this can lead to a sense of isolation, as the frustration of being unable to engage fully makes it tempting to skip events altogether. If you’re tempted to skip the after-work Kona Grill happy hours you used to love, think about the reasons. If one of the reasons is that the communication effort is too great, it might be time for a hearing test.
4. You Find Communication Tiring
Without hearing loss, your brain receives and processes auditory information with ease. With hearing loss, it requires extra mental effort to understand the information presented, resulting in an increased cognitive load. Over a day, this increased cognitive load can leave you feeling mentally and physically fatigued.
If you notice one or more of these four signs of hearing loss, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. We can identify your type and degree of hearing loss and help you find the right treatment option, whether hearing aids, cochlear implants or other options. Contact South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today for an appointment with one of our qualified specialists.