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7 common warning signs of hearing loss

7 common warning signs of hearing loss

Hearing loss is a common problem that is caused by aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises, certain diseases, and genetic variations. More than half the people in the country over the age of 75 live with age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis. Depending on the part of the ear it affects, presbycusis may be of three types – conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Here are some of the most common warning signs of hearing loss.

Difficulty in hearing consonant sounds
Those living with presbycusis may lose their ability to hear high-frequency sounds. These normally include consonant sounds like S, F, Th, Sh, K, V, and P. This means one may easily confuse terms like “show” and “throw” or “peep” and “keep”, which can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication. One may also think that others are mumbling or talking in muffled tones.

Straining to listen
Hearing is a brain activity and those who suffer from hearing loss need to strain to listen to what others are saying, which takes a lot of effort for the brain to process the sounds and make sense of them. This can cause listening fatigue. Doctors or audiologists may prescribe professional hearing aids to reduce the strain on one’s ears.

Difficulty in understanding the conversation in loud/crowded places Another warning sign of high-frequency hearing loss is the inability to decipher speech in loud or crowded situations. For some people, it may lead to avoiding social situations entirely, while others may feel exhausted after a social event.

Ringing in the ears
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tinnitus is one of the most common health conditions in the country with over 50 million people suffering from it. The condition causes a ringing sound in the ear and can be a result of age-related hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss.

Watching people’s lips instead of making eye contact
When the auditory sense doesn’t work at optimal levels, the brain tries to make up for it by enhancing other senses in the body, such as eyesight. When one experiences trouble hearing, they may end up looking at the other person’s lips or mouth to try to grasp what they are saying, instead of making eye contact.

Clogged ears
At times, this may just be a result of wax or fluid buildup in the ear. However, it may also be caused by age-related hearing loss, which makes all sounds dull or muffled.

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