What are the signs of hearing loss?

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You might think hearing loss is something you’d recognise easily, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Hearing loss can be tricky to catch. In fact, sometimes it’s your loved ones who will notice it first.

Hearing loss is remarkably common – 3.5 million Australian adults are affected. As we age, incidence continues to increase (especially after age 50). There are different types of hearing loss, some temporary (which you can read more about here). Thankfully, if you recognise the signs early, there’s lots you can do to improve your hearing health.

What are the signs?

Difficulty hearing other people clearly, asking them to repeat themselves, turning up the TV louder than others need it and struggling to hear on the phone – or missing phone calls entirely – are among the early signs of hearing loss.

Some people hear a constant buzzing or ringing in their ears, or hear sounds as muffled. Others notice that loud noises suddenly start to cause more discomfort than they used to.

You may also find that you feel tired after listening to people for an extended period – especially in noisy environments such as social settings.

Sometimes hearing loss can occur in only one ear. You might notice your hearing is worse when sound comes from one side or you have difficulty locating the direction of the sound or speech and you may have increased difficulty hearing in the presence of background noise.

This checklist is a great guide to indicate whether you may be experiencing symptoms of hearing loss:

When people talk, it sounds like they’re mumbling
I often have to ask people to repeat themselves (even if it’s quiet)
The effort of concentrating on people’s words leaves me tired
When there is a lot of background noise (such as in restaurants), I have difficulty hearing
When it is quiet, I find it hard to hear from a distance
I find it hard to work out which direction sound is coming from
The voices of women or children are harder to hear
I need the TV up louder than others in my household
People tell me I speak loudly
I feel the need to lean in when I speak to people
I have a family history of hearing loss
I have worked in noisy workplaces
I have a constant ringing in my ears
I take medication that can harm my hearing.

If you answer ‘yes’ to at least two of the above, you might have hearing loss. It’s alright, you’re not alone and we’re here to help. Book an appointment today and you’ll be on your way to improving your ability to hear and as a result, your quality of life.