News

Recognizing Hearing Loss

World Hearing Day, observed annually on March 3, promotes ear and hearing care across the world and raises awareness of how to prevent deafness and hearing loss. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, you may have hearing loss caused by noise:

• Speech and other sounds seem muffled • Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds (e.g., birds, doorbell, telephone)
• Trouble understanding conversations when you are in a noisy place, such as a restaurant
• Trouble understanding speech over the phone
• Trouble hearing speech consonants (e.g., trouble hearing the difference between s and f, between p and t, or between sh and th in speech)
• Asking others to speak more slowly and clearly
• Asking someone to speak more loudly or repeat what they said
• Turning up the volume of the television or radio
• Ringing in the ears

Untreated hearing loss, especially in older adults, can lead to:

• social isolation
• depression
• dementia
• falls (leading to injury)
• inability to work or travel
• reduced physical activity

Don’t wait until you show signs of hearing loss. Have your hearing examined by your doctor during your regular checkup. If you have any signs of hearing loss, get tested by a qualified healthcare provider.

Source: cdc.gov