“Can you say that again?” If this is something you find yourself saying over and over again throughout the day, it might be time to get your hearing tested.
Aside from your friends and family having to repeat themselves, and your difficulty in following conversations, there are a range of signs that indicate hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss can be caused by many different conditions and circumstances, and can manifest in a number of ways.
To make sure you’re ready to tackle hearing loss as soon as it develops, look out for the following 5 signs that you need to get your hearing tested and get to the audiologist as soon as you notice any of them pop up.
1. It Affects You in Social Situations
· You frequently have to ask people to repeat what they say
· You have difficulty focussing on conversations
· People sound like they’re mumbling or speaking softly
· You can’t understand conversations when you’re in a loud environment (e.g. in a crowded café, in a meeting or at a party)
· People complain that you have to the volume on the TV turned up too loud
· People say you speak loudly
· It’s difficult to understand people over the phone
· You don’t notice when your phone is ringing
· You often misunderstand what people are saying
2. It Takes its Toll on You Mentally and Emotionally
· You feel exhausted from straining to hear others
· You get frustrated at people when you can’t hear them properly
· You feel stressed and annoyed at not being able to hear
· You don’t like meeting new people because you’re afraid you won’t understand them
· You get overwhelmed in noisy social situations
· You’re embarrassed by your poor hearing
3. Your Body is Sending You Warning Signs
· You get headaches from straining to hear
· You have ringing in your ears ( tinnitus)
· You can hear better on one side than the other
· You have an earache
· There’s more wax or discharge in your ears than usual
4. You’ve been Exposed to Loud Noise
· You’ve been exposed to loud noise over a long period of time
· You’ve been exposed to a single extremely loud noise, such as an explosion
5. You Have a Medical History that Points Toward Hearing Loss
· You’ve had a viral or bacterial infection in the ear
· Your ear has been damaged
· You’ve experienced physical trauma to the head
· You have a family history of hearing loss
· You take ototoxic medications
· You have a circulatory condition
· You have a thyroid condition
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs and symptoms of hearing loss, it’s time to have your hearing tested at one of our four Hearing And Audiology clinics in Perth. Our professional Perth audiologists can perform hearing loss services like hearing tests, hearing aids for children and adults of all ages. Book in with an audiologist in Perth online or call us on 08 (08) 9388 8003 today.
