We often call hearing loss an invisible condition. In this case, the word invisible doesn’t just mean there’s a lack of visible symptoms. It also refers to the tendency for people to ignore the condition. Only about 20% of people with inner ear hearing loss seek treatment, and many individuals wait ten years or more to do so.
Recognizing the subtle signs of hearing loss and taking proactive steps to address it is an essential part of ensuring you don’t wait ten years to start enjoying the benefits of treatment. Let’s look at three common but subtle signs it’s time to schedule a hearing test.
1. You Start Shifting Away from Social Events
When hearing loss makes communicating with others challenging, opting out of social events is a natural response. Not everybody has the same level of energy when it comes to socializing. If you’re more of an introvert, this sign can be a tough one to spot.
Whether you enjoy grabbing a warm latte from Pop’s Coffee Co. with a friend, or you spend a lot of time on the club scene, it’s crucial to pay attention when you start pulling away. Ask yourself: “Why do I not want to go to this event? Is it because it doesn’t sound like my kind of thing, or is it because I’m worried about communicating?” If the answer is the latter, hearing loss may be the culprit.
2. You’re More Tired Than Usual
Hearing loss forces you to exert more effort to catch and process speech. All that extra mental effort can leave you with little energy at the end of the day. This sign is most noticeable after you spend a day in meetings or with friends and family. If you’ve noticed that conversation-heavy days feel more tiring than usual, you might be experiencing listening-related fatigue.
3. You Feel Irritated When You Can’t Hear Others
It can be frustrating to feel like the entire world is mumbling. When people with hearing loss can’t understand speech, most commonly in busy environments or when the speaker is facing away, they might assume fault on behalf of the speaker. In reality, it’s often nobody’s fault. Hearing loss is just a natural result of aging, genetics and other sources.
If you’ve found yourself getting angry or short-tempered with the people in your life, schedule a hearing test. Many find they feel relieved to know why they’re having trouble.
Schedule Your Hearing Test
If any of these three subtle signs sound familiar to you, don’t wait for them to escalate. Schedule your hearing test and treatment consultation with Advanced Hearing today.