Hearing loss often starts out subtly. You may find yourself asking your kids to repeat something, dismissing it as mumbling or background noise. But when this occurs, you begin to think that you may be starting to develop hearing loss. Understanding the sounds related to hearing loss can help you recognize potential changes in your own hearing.
Conductive hearing loss comes with softer sounds
When normal sounds seem softer than they used to, this is a common indication of conductive hearing loss. You may not even recognize that you’ve been cranking the volume of the television up or that your friends and family regularly ask you to “speak up”.
What you may hear:
- Trouble hearing in noisy settings, where background noise drowns out softer sounds
- Sounds that are quieter than before
- Needing people to talk louder
Conductive hearing loss frequently makes everyday sounds seem far away or muffled.
Sensorineural hearing loss causes sounds to be distorted
In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, not only are sounds quieter, but they can also become distorted. Conversations might feel challenging as you struggle to distinguish between similar sounds.
How it may sound:
- Speech that seems muddled or unclear
- The experience of hearing some sounds while others disappear into the background
- Misunderstandings because you’re unable to differentiate vowels from consonants
This distortion can create frustrating communication obstacles, where you think you comprehend what’s being said but misconstrue key details.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Hearing loss frequently comes with tinnitus symptoms. It typically manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t really there, which can cause actual sounds to be even harder to hear.
You may hear the following:
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
- Buzzing or static sounds
- Ringing or hissing sounds that appear to come from within
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can substantially impact quality of life.
Distinguishing the sounds of hearing changes
Hearing loss generally develops slowly, and being conscious of sounds that come along with it is crucial for early treatment. If you find yourself consistently asking others to repeat what they said or struggling to follow conversations, it may be time to consider a hearing evaluation.
When to see a hearing specialist
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 supply you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be significantly improved by knowing what hearing loss sounds like. Don’t hesitate to get help; your hearing health is important.
Call us today to schedule your hearing test.
