What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Because of the nature of the onset of hearing loss,the person who suffers with it, is quite often the last person to know. This is a really common occurrence, hearing loss is normally a slow and insidious process. It happens over a long period of time and isn't necessarily noticeable until a tipping point is reached.
Friends and family will notice the problem quite a while before the person with the loss does. This unfortunately can lead to difficulties within some of the most important relationships for a sufferer. Often people with un-diagnosed hearing loss will have removed themselves from their usual social circles and their social activities because they find them stressful. This leads to a sense of isolation which can have a dramatic effect on every part of a person's life.
Symptoms of hearing loss:
- Muffled hearing. Difficulty understanding what people are saying, especially when there are competing voices or background noise. The difficulty is usually with the carity of the voice rather than the volume.
- You may be able to hear someone speaking, but you cannot distinguish the specific words.
- Listening to the television or radio at higher volume than in the past.
- Avoiding conversation and social interaction. Social situations can be tiring and stressful if you do not hear well. You may begin to avoid those situations as hearing becomes more difficult.
- Depression. Many adults may be depressed because of how hearing loss is affecting their social life.
Other symptoms that may occur with hearing loss include:
- Ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus).
- itching, or irritation. Pus or fluid leaking from the ear. This may result from an injury or infection that is causing hearing loss.
- Vertigo, which can occur with hearing loss caused by Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, or labyrinthitis
As I have said people who have hearing loss are sometimes not aware of it. Family members or friends often are the first to notice the hearing loss. If you think you have any of these symptoms, or are just worried about your hearing, go see a professional and get a hearing test. If you are a family member who is worried about a loved one, have patience, your loved one may well not fully realise there is an issue.
If you are worried, try and convince them to see a professional.
