Normally, the first stages of hearing loss develop slowly. You might dismiss your need for people to repeat what they said as them mumbling or background noise. But when this happens, you begin to think that you may be starting to develop hearing loss. It will be easier to recognize whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that go along with hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss makes the world sound softer
When normal sounds seem softer than they once did, this is a common indication of conductive hearing loss. You may not even realize that you’ve been cranking the volume of the television up or that your friends and family frequently ask you to “speak up”.
What you might hear:
- The need for individuals to speak louder
- The volume of sounds seem lower than before
- In settings where there is lots of background noise, you have a harder time hearing clearly
Conductive hearing loss often makes everyday sounds seem far off or muffled.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will frequently also be distorted for someone who has sensorineural hearing loss. It’s challenging to distinguish between similar sounds making conversations difficult.
How it might sound:
- Speech that sounds muddled or unclear
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
- Misunderstandings because you can’t distinguish vowels from consonants
This distortion can lead to frustrating communication barriers, where you think you comprehend 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 usually manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t actually there, which can cause actual sounds to be even harder to hear.
You might hear the following:
- Whistling or hissing sounds that appear to come from within
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
- Static, buzzing, or even a catchy tune stuck on repeat
Each individual’s experience with tinnitus can vary, but these invasive sounds can significantly impact daily life and the enjoyment of other sounds.
Recognizing the sounds of hearing changes
Hearing loss generally progresses slowly, and being aware of sounds that come along with it is essential for early treatment. It’s probably time to set up an appointment for a hearing consultation 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 test?
If you think you are detecting any kind of hearing loss or tinnitus, scheduling a hearing test is crucial. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and provide you with the best course of treatment. Understanding what hearing loss sounds like can make a substantial difference in your quality of life. 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.