Hearing loss often begins subtly. You may find yourself asking your daughter to repeat something, dismissing it as mumbling or background noise. But as you think about this moment, a question arises: Am I losing my hearing? Understanding the sounds related to hearing loss can help you recognize potential changes in your own hearing.
The soft sounds of conductive hearing loss
For many, conductive hearing loss manifests as sounds that seem softer than they used to. You might not even realize that you’ve been turning the volume of the television up or that your friends and family frequently ask you to “speak up”.
What you may hear:
- In environments where there is lots of background noise, you have a more difficult time hearing clearly
- Needing people to talk louder
- The volume of sounds seem lower than they used to
This type of hearing loss may feel like a muffled auditory experience, making common sounds seem distant or indistinct.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will often also be distorted for someone who has sensorineural hearing loss. Conversations may feel challenging as you struggle to differentiate between similar sounds.
How it may sound:
- Unclear or distorted speech
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
- Misunderstandings because you’re unable to distinguish vowels from consonants
This distorted speech can cause you to misconstrue important details without even knowing it, which can produce barriers in communication and frustration.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Tinnitus exhibits a unique auditory experience that can come with hearing loss. It typically manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t really there, which can cause external sounds to be even harder to hear.
You may hear the following:
- Buzzing or static sounds
- Internal hissing or screeching sounds in your ears
- Ocean-like waves, crickets chirping, or the whooshing of wind
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can significantly impact quality of life.
Recognizing the sounds of hearing changes
Hearing loss can be a slow process, and recognizing the sounds associated with it is essential for early intervention. If you find yourself consistently asking people to repeat what they said or struggling to follow conversations, it may be time to think about a hearing assessment.
When to consult a hearing specialist
It’s important to schedule an appointment with us for a hearing assessment if you are noticing tinnitus symptoms or any symptoms of hearing loss. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and provide 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.
Call us today to schedule your hearing test.
