Just as it’s a good idea to visit the dentist regularly to maintain your smile and get your eyes checked every two years, it’s a good idea to take a hearing test to ensure you’re hearing optimally. As we age, our hearing can start to get muffled, which could indicate the need for a hearing aid. And, unfortunately, many people wait too long before seeking out treatment, struggling to hear in their daily lives for much longer than they need to.
Here are some tell-tale signs you may need to look into getting a hearing aid. Don’t ignore these signs—it could significantly reduce your quality of life to do so.
1. People Are Always Mumbling
Do you feel as though your loved ones are always mumbling? Are you constantly asking your kids, your spouse, and your friends to repeat themselves? You may have realized those close to you are becoming frustrated by these constant requests. The fact is your loved ones may not be mumbling; rather, you may be having trouble hearing.
If you can hear people but you can’t quite understand what they’re saying most of the time, it’s a sign that you should go take a hearing test to see if there’s anything going on that requires treatment.
2. Your Loved Ones Complain about Your TV Volume
You have your TV or radio volume set to a comfortable level. Yet, your loved ones are constantly complaining that the volume is too loud. This is a sign that you’re not hearing as well as you could be and you’re likely putting the volume on the TV or radio louder to be able to hear it clearly.
3. You Have Trouble Hearing People on the Phone
When people speak, we not only hear their words, but we also take clues from their lips moving and their body language. If you can hear what people are saying in person, it’s likely that you’re picking up on a lot of non-verbal cues to fill in the gaps that you can’t hear in their words. This is likely the case if you have trouble hearing people on the phone, when these cues aren’t visible to you.
4. You’ve Become More Withdrawn
Being able to hear those around you is an important part of life. If you’re having trouble hearing, you may unknowingly withdraw from social situations to avoid frustration or embarrassment that you may feel if you cannot hear well. You may drop out of a class because you cannot hear the instructor, for example. You may avoid social gatherings because you cannot hear well in noisy places like restaurants or when many people are speaking at the same time when you’re in large groups. Getting a hearing aid can get you back your quality of life, enabling you to enjoy the activities you used to love partaking in. You shouldn’t have to choose what to do in your free time based on whether or not you’ll have trouble hearing.
5. Life Is Quieter Than Normal
When you can hear optimally, you’ll hear many noises all day, every day. This can include your dog snoring, the birds chirping outside your window, the leaves rustling as you walk outdoors, and the sounds of children laughing down the street.
If life has started to sound quieter than usual, it may be a sign that you should look into getting a hearing test. If you’re not hearing background noise like you used to, you may not be hearing as well as you could be.
Don’t let life pass you by because you can’t hear well. Get treatment for hearing loss and get your life back.
