Although we often think that hearing loss is something that only happens to the elderly, this is actually not the case.
According to the US National Institute on Deafness and Hearing Impairment, one in eight people over the age of 12 suffer from hearing loss in both ears, and about 28.8 million American adults need hearing aids.
BuzzFeed audiologists revealed the top signs it’s time to get your hearing checked.
You find it difficult to participate in conversations
If you keep saying “How?” during a conversation, it might be time to get your hearing checked.
“Hearing strain when talking to others is a big problem. This can include hearing difficulties due to background noise and regularly asking people to repeat what they have said,’ says audiologist Terry Zvolan.
You need to turn up the volume on the TV
If others often tell you to turn down the TV, that’s a concern.
“If your hearing is impaired, you may turn up the volume on the TV or radio to a level that is louder than others like,” added Zvolan.
Your ears are ringing
Although ringing in the ears (or tinnitus) is not always a sign of hearing loss, it certainly can be.
“Some people may experience constant ringing, buzzing, pain or pressure in one or both ears. It can also be difficult to hear on one side, difficult to distinguish where sounds are coming from, or your own voice may sound different,” noted Tsvolan.
Audiologist Katie Kobel notes that tinnitus symptoms are a good reason to get your hearing tested, especially if you’ve been experiencing them for a long time.
You have a hard time hearing nature sounds
If you suddenly do not hear nature sounds, such as birds chirping or rain, this can be an alarm signal.
“Some people with hearing loss have problems with everyday sounds, such as traffic lights, boiling water or the doorbell,” audiologist Amy Bishop.
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