Hearing loss often starts out subtly. You might dismiss your need for people to repeat themselves 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 comes with softer sounds
When normal sounds seem softer than they used to, this is a common indication of conductive hearing loss. You might 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”.
Here are some things you might hear:
- Needing people to talk louder
- The volume of sounds seem lower than before
- In environments where there is a lot of background noise, you have a more difficult time hearing clearly
Conductive hearing loss frequently makes everyday sounds seem far off or muffled.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, not only are sounds quieter, but they can also become distorted. It’s challenging to distinguish between similar sounds making conversations problematic.
How it might sound:
- The experience of hearing some sounds while others fade into the background
- Speech that sounds muddled or unclear
- Misunderstandings because you’re unable to differentiate vowels from consonants
This distortion can lead to frustrating communication obstacles, where you think you understand what’s being said but misinterpret key details.
Tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus presents a unique auditory experience that can come with hearing loss. It can present as persistent or intermittent sounds that overlap with outside noises.
What you might hear:
- Buzzing or static sounds
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
- Internal hissing or screeching sounds in your ears
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can substantially impact quality of life.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss normally progresses slowly, and being conscious of sounds that come along with it is crucial for early treatment. If you find yourself frequently asking people to repeat themselves or struggling to follow conversations, it could be time to think about a hearing evaluation.
When is it time for a hearing test?
If you suspect you are detecting any form of hearing loss or tinnitus, scheduling a hearing test is essential. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and supply you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be substantially improved by understanding what hearing loss sounds like. The health of your hearing is important so don’t wait to get the help you need.
Contact us right away for a consultation.