Hearing loss often starts out subtly. You might dismiss your need for people to repeat themselves as them mumbling or background noise. But when this occurs, you begin to think that you may be starting to develop hearing loss. It will be easier to identify whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that accompany hearing loss.
The soft sounds of conductive hearing loss
When normal sounds seem softer than they used to, this is a common sign of conductive hearing loss. You might 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”.
Here are a few things you may hear:
- Trouble hearing in loud settings, where background noise overwhelms softer sounds
- The volume of sounds seem lower than before
- Needing people to talk louder
This type of hearing loss may feel like a muffled auditory experience, making common sounds seem distant or indistinct.
Sensorineural hearing loss causes sounds to be distorted
Besides becoming softer, sounds will frequently also be distorted for somebody who has sensorineural hearing loss. It’s challenging to differentiate between similar sounds making conversations difficult.
What you might hear:
- Misunderstandings because you’re unable to distinguish vowels from consonants
- The experience of hearing some sounds while others disappear into the background
- Speech that sounds muddled or unclear
This distortion can lead to frustrating communication obstacles, where you think you understand what’s being said but misconstrue key details.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Tinnitus exhibits a unique auditory experience that can come with hearing loss. It can present as persistent or periodic sounds that overlap with outside noises.
What you might hear:
- Internal hissing or screeching sounds in your ears
- Ocean-like waves, crickets chirping, or the whooshing of wind
- Buzzing or static noises
Each person’s experience with tinnitus can differ, but these intrusive sounds can significantly affect daily life and the enjoyment of other sounds.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss can be a slow process, and recognizing the sounds connected with it is essential for early intervention. It’s probably time to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you find yourself having trouble following along with conversations or needing people to frequently repeat what they said.
When is it time for a hearing exam?
It’s important to schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test if you are noticing tinnitus symptoms or any symptoms of hearing loss. Consulting with us can provide clarity on your condition and direct you toward correct treatment solutions. Your quality of life can be substantially 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.