Most hearing loss goes unnoticed because of its gradual onset. Family and friends tend to notice there’s a problem before the person with hearing loss does. Persons with hearing loss often realize how much they have been missing once they get help.
Signs of hearing loss may include:
- People seem to mumble
- Asking others to repeat themselves
- Difficulty following conversations when the background is noisy or when in group situations
- Children’s and women’s voices are difficult to hear
- Being able to hear people talk, but having difficulty understanding the words
- The TV or radio are turned up louder than normal
- High pitched sounds such as birds, crickets and bells cannot be heard
- Family, colleagues and friends suggest you might have a hearing problem
- You often hear a ringing or buzzing in your ears.