Symptoms of hearing loss
Discover how to recognize the signs of hearing loss and learn more about the symptoms with our helpful guide.
What are signs of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can affect your life in many ways. It can make it challenging to connect with your surroundings, like engaging in a conversation in a busy restaurant or attending a live music concert. With hearing loss, you may find that you avoid social situations and lose interest in activities that you once enjoyed. The impact of hearing loss on your quality of life can be substantial. Fortunately, help is available.
Quick facts about hearing loss symptoms
- People can have hearing loss in one ear or both ears
- Hearing loss can be permanent or temporary
- It can occur suddenly (sudden hearing loss) or gradually
What are the first signs of hearing loss?
Most hearing loss happens gradually, so you may not notice it for some time. Look out for these possible first signs of hearing loss:
- You may find yourself straining to hear conversation, especially in noisy places.
- You may become tired from the effort required to listen.
- You may need to turn the TV up louder than before.
- You may notice that you have to ask people to repeat themselves.
- You may feel that you can hear but cannot always understand what you hear.
- It may seem like people sometimes mumble.
- People may say you are talking loudly.
- It may feel as though you have plugged or clogged ears.
- Your hearing is better in one ear.
Do you have any symptoms of hearing loss?
If you have any signs of hearing loss, it is important to get your hearing checked.
Find a hearing care professional
Ringing or buzzing noises in your ears may be a sign of tinnitus. Tinnitus is not the same as hearing loss, however it does often accompany hearing loss. If you have signs of tinnitus, it is a good idea to take a hearing test. Hearing aids can also help to treat tinnitus.
Symptoms of hearing loss at different levels
What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid?
Hearing aids help all levels of hearing loss, but more importantly, they help prevent further negative consequences of hearing loss, such as gradually becoming more isolated. Hearing loss can affect people socially, emotionally, and cognitively. So, while some people can ‘make do’ without a hearing aid, we strongly recommend consulting a hearing care professional if you suspect you might have hearing loss.
What does hearing loss sound like?
Our hearing loss simulator lets you experience different sounds with different degrees of high frequency hearing loss. High frequency hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.