An estimated one in eight people in the United States aged 12 and older have hearing loss in both ears. Despite the prevalence of hearing loss, many people avoid testing. Let’s take a look at a few signs of hearing loss, the importance of early diagnosis and how hearing aids can help reconnect you to the world.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss symptoms may start mild and progress over time. A few signs you should schedule a hearing test include:
- Feeling that others are mumbling
- Turning the radio up louder than usual
- Struggling to hear children, phone alerts and other high-pitched noises
- Difficulty understanding consonants
- Asking others to speak loudly or slowly
- Avoiding social situations
- Irritability when you can’t understand others
The Side Effects of Hearing Loss
A few ways hearing loss can negatively impact your overall health include:
- Mental health. Hearing loss can profoundly impact your social and emotional well-being, leading to an increased risk of loneliness, social isolation, depression and anxiety. When you struggle to hear and understand conversations, especially in social settings, it can make interactions frustrating and exhausting. This difficulty often leads to a gradual withdrawal from social activities. As social connections diminish, feelings of loneliness can intensify, creating a sense of distance from your friends and family.
- Safety concerns. Hearing loss can significantly impair your ability to hear crucial safety information. For instance, on a busy day at Cascade Park, the inability to hear a warning shout like “DUCK” before an errant frisbee hits you can lead to accidents and injuries. Similarly, you might miss the sound of approaching vehicles, bicycle bells or other potential hazards in your environment.
- Decreased independence. As hearing becomes more challenging, you may find it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively, especially in noisy environments or during group conversations. This can lead to a greater reliance on friends, family and caregivers to assist with everyday tasks such as making phone calls, understanding important announcements and navigating social situations.
How Can Hearing Aids Help?
Hearing plays an integral role in your daily life, from the sound of toast popping up in the morning to the quiet moments before you fall asleep. Hearing aids help minimize the adverse effects of hearing loss by amplifying speech and background noise to help you connect with those around you, keep you safe and increase your independence.
Remember that even mild hearing loss can significantly affect your life, and it’s never too early to seek help. Regular testing can catch hearing loss before it negatively impacts you. Contact Bangor Audiology today to schedule your first test with one of our trusted experts.