Usually, the first stages of hearing loss advance slowly. You might 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? Understanding the sounds associated with hearing loss can help you recognize potential changes in your own hearing.
Conductive hearing loss makes the world sound softer
For many people, conductive hearing loss manifests as sounds that seem softer than they used to. You may 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 might hear:
- Sounds that are softer than before
- The need for people to raise their voices
- In environments where there is lots of background noise, you have a harder time hearing clearly
Conductive hearing loss often makes everyday sounds seem far away or muffled.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will frequently also be distorted for somebody who has sensorineural hearing loss. It’s challenging to distinguish between similar sounds making conversations difficult.
What you might hear:
- Unclear or distorted speech
- Misunderstandings because you can’t distinguish vowels from consonants
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
This distorted speech can cause you to misconstrue important details without even knowing it, which can produce barriers in communication and frustration.
Tinnitus symptoms
Hearing loss often comes with tinnitus symptoms. It normally manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t really there, which can cause external sounds to be even harder to hear.
You may hear the following:
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
- Buzzing or static noises
- Whistling or hissing sounds that seem to come from within
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can significantly impact quality of life.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss can be a slow process, and identifying the sounds connected with it is essential for early intervention. If you find yourself consistently asking people to repeat what they said or struggling to follow conversations, it could be time to think about a hearing evaluation.
When is it time for a hearing exam?
It’s essential to make an appointment with us for a hearing test if you are experiencing tinnitus symptoms or any indications of hearing loss. 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.
