Signs that you or your loved one’s hearing is impaired
Hearing loss develops slowly and is hardly noticeable. This makes it difficult for victims to recognise that they have a hearing impairment. Relatives, friends or colleagues are often the first to realise that something is wrong.
Most often, hearing problems are associated with the ageing process, when degeneration of the inner ear structures occurs over time, but hearing problems can occur much earlier. Hearing problems can be accelerated by recurrent ear diseases such as ear infections, overuse or genetic diseases, environmental effects such as exposure to prolonged noise and medication.
Signs of hearing loss:
- You feel that people around you are mumbling or talking quietly.
- It’s hard to strike up a conversation in a restaurant or other noisy place.
- You want to turn up the volume on your TV, radio, phone.
- You ask people to repeat what they said.
- Feeling unbalanced or dizzy.
Hearing impairment and social life
If left untreated, hearing impairment can impair the quality of your or your loved one’s communication with family or friends, reduce productivity at work, and the constant strain of trying to hear can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. If you notice that you or your loved one’s hearing is impaired, we recommend that you do not delay in making an appointment to see a hearing care professional.
Check that your hearing is not impaired
Book an appointment at your nearest Optics World vision and hearing centre.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
Warning signs that you may have a hearing impairment include:
– Difficulty hearing dialogue in a cinema or theatre.
– Asking people to repeat whether you understood what they said correctly.
– Need to turn up the volume on TV.
– Difficulty following conversation in a group.
My ears are ringing. Is it bad for my hearing?
Tinnitus is usually short-lived and goes away on its own. However, if the tinnitus is recurrent, we recommend that you seek professional help, as this disorder can lead to hearing impairment.
What are the consequences of hearing loss?
If left untreated, hearing impairment can worsen and lead to social exclusion, anxiety attacks and depression. A hearing test helps to determine what kind of hearing impairment you have, and a hearing care professional will suggest a solution that is best suited to each individual
