You are finally enjoying those large family get togethers again after years of self-quarantines and isolation. But the thing is, you could not understand the people who were speaking over the noise of the rest of the party. It was frustrating to miss the details of announcements your loved ones were making. You felt left out after struggling to keep up with the conversation around the table.

Hearing loss often develops slowly. This means that you do not immediately notice the signs that you should get your hearing checked.

Keep an eye out for the following warning signs that you should get your hearing tested.

1. You say “What?” a lot
   
   Are you frequently asking people to repeat themselves? If this is occurring with different people and in different environments, it could be a sign of hearing loss.
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2. You hear people but do not understand them
   
   Does it often seem as though people are mumbling? Hearing loss can affect different frequencies which makes it difficult to understand some sounds or words. It may not be the volume that is the problem, but the clarity.
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3. Other people tell you the TV is too loud
   
   You may not have noticed that you turn the volume up loud to compensate for your hearing loss – but others do!
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4. You hear ringing in your ears
   
   Tinnitus (which can be heard as a ring, buzzing, whooshing, or other sounds) can be one of the first signs of hearing loss.
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5. You struggle with talking on the phone
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   Due to frequency limitations, sound quality lowers over the phone. If you have a hearing loss, this means conversations over the phone can be particularly challenging.
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6. You miss call or text notifications
   
   Phone notifications are made to be loud enough to hear. If you aren’t hearing them, what else might you be missing?

Although you may be noticing some signs that your hearing isn’t quite what it used to be, hearing loss is difficult to self-diagnose. We recommend getting your hearing checked every year. It is important to catch a hearing loss as early as possible to preserve more hearing. Even if you already know you have a hearing loss, yearly evaluations are necessary to monitor changes in hearing and stay on top of your hearing healthcare plan.

Our audiologist Angie will determine your level of hearing loss, ask you questions about your lifestyle and hearing needs, and help you find the right hearing device to keep you connected to your loved ones, work, and everything in the world around you. Contact us today to schedule a hearing evaluation.