Signs of Reduced Hearing
Starting To Think About Your Hearing?
Finding out you have reduced hearing may seem overwhelming at first. It is important to know you are not alone and have many resources available to assist you in managing and treating your hearing. Reduced hearing is believed to be the third most common health problem today.
Fortunately with advances in technology, treating your hearing has never been easier or more effective
Communication is how we participate in society; receiving and responding to information is how we build relationships. Reduced hearing affects the quality of communication with others, the essential component of all relationships. This is why when communication is affected by a reduction in hearing, it is usually family and friends who notice first. Those closest to you will recognize that the richness of communication they are used to has changed. They may express concern for your relationship by suggesting you have your hearing checked.
“Hearing loss isolated me socially. My family was irritated at always having to repeat themselves and I was frustrated with them leaving me out of conversations and talking to me from another room and expecting me to understand”. – Jim
Signs of Reduced Hearing
Someone with reduced hearing may:
- not realize they are experiencing hearing difficulties
- require frequent repetition, may misunderstand what is said and answer inappropriately
- take longer to respond in conversations
- have difficulty following conversation especially with multiple speakers or in background noise such as family gatherings or dining in a busy restaurant
- hear that someone is speaking but cannot understand what they are saying (sounds like mumbling)
- find it difficult to hear at a distance
- hear a ringing or buzzing (Tinnitus) in the ears
- favour one ear over the other
- have difficulty understanding conversations on the phone
- have friends and family mention the T.V or stereo is turned up too loud
- frequently watch the speaker’s lips
- speak too loud or soft
- withdraw from or avoid social situations
- have difficulty hearing children, the door bell, or the telephone
- have friends and family suggest that they have their hearing tested