When you’re struggling to understand the people in your life, your first instinct might be to brush it off or attribute it to tiredness or a noisy environment. While both those factors can make it harder to hear, they might not be the only reason you’re having trouble communicating. Often, hearing loss is at play.
A 2018 study found that only about 20% of people with inner ear hearing loss seek help for their condition. The same study also observed that some patients wait 10 years or longer from the time they first notice hearing loss before seeking help.
Why Do Patients Wait To Seek Help for Hearing Loss?
Many patients assume that their hearing loss isn’t advanced enough to require treatment. When hearing loss is mild, they’re more likely to blame it on things like exhaustion or mumbling friends than they are to assume their hearing is fading. One of the best ways to identify hearing loss before it starts to impact your quality of life is to be aware of the most common signs.
Common Signs of Hearing Loss
A few common signs of hearing loss include:
- Assuming others are mumbling. If you feel like others are constantly mumbling, it’s possible the issue actually lies in your ears.
- Group conversations feel overwhelming. Busy environments like work meetings and happy hours at the Break Room Brewing company can highlight hearing challenges.
- Mental exhaustion. When you can’t grasp speech effectively, your brain compensates by straining to interpret the missing pieces. This extra effort can leave you unusually tired.
- Pulling away socially. People who struggle to understand speech often find themselves skipping social events they once enjoyed because they fear they won’t be able to keep up. If you’ve started turning down invitations, it’s worth understanding why.
- Your loved ones point out your hearing difficulties. Often, the people you’re closest to notice hearing loss before you. If your friends or family point out that you didn’t respond to a question or missed parts of a conversation, it’s a gentle reminder to have your hearing checked.
Catching hearing loss early makes a big difference in maintaining your overall quality of life. If any of these signs feel familiar, don’t wait. Schedule a hearing test with Benke Ear Nose & Throat Clinic today.