At Intercoastal Medical Group, we understand the complex nature of hearing and wellness. With that in mind, we created this brief guide to help you understand signs of hearing loss you shouldn’t ignore.
Many people seem to believe that hearing loss is an inevitability of aging. While hearing loss does tend to increase with age, that does not mean that it should not be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician.
In fact, hearing loss is a medical condition. Left untreated, it can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, has been linked to cognitive (mental) decline, a lowered ability to solve problems, short term memory loss, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Additionally, hearing loss is also associated with an increased risk for falls. This may seem unrelated; however, hearing loss can lead to balance problems and poor spatial awareness.
Watch for These Signs of Hearing Loss
The signs of hearing loss can come on so slowly that they are missed, until the issue is more advanced. Often, family members and friends seem to be more aware of the hearing loss than the person who is actually experiencing the issue. This can stem from the fact that the person who has the hearing loss may be embarrassed to admit that they cannot hear clearly any longer. Common hearing loss signs include:
- Reduced awareness of what is happening around you
- Poor balance
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Feeling like everyone is mumbling
- Constantly needing to turn up the volume or the radio or television
- Having to ask people to repeat themselves
- An inability to keep up in conversations
- Being unaware of your own volume (others ask you to lower your voice because you are too loud)
- Needing to see the speaker to understand what is being said
- Difficulty talking on a phone
- Difficulty hearing women speak (women tend to speak at a higher frequency that is often the first to go in hearing loss)
Hearing loss is not something you just have to live with. Treatment is available. If you notice any of the above signs, or have any form of discharge from your ear, ear pain, sudden loss of hearing, or a ringing in your ears, you should be checked by an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). Don’t put it off. Good hearing is part of your overall health and quality of life.
If you, or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, or you would like to find out more, please request an appointment online today. Our dedicated otorhinolaryngology specialists are experts in all areas of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck care. Intercoastal Medical Group: dedicated to providing quality healthcare to the Sarasota and Manatee County areas.
