Hearing loss often begins subtly. You might find yourself asking your daughter to repeat something, dismissing it as mumbling or background noise. But when this occurs, you begin to think that you may be starting to develop hearing loss. 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 recognize that you’ve been cranking the volume of the television up or that your friends and family frequently ask you to “speak up”.
Here are some things you might hear:
- Trouble hearing in loud settings, where background noise overwhelms softer sounds
- Sounds that are softer than before
- The need for others to speak louder
This type of hearing loss may feel like a muffled auditory experience, making familiar sounds seem distant or faint.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
Besides becoming fainter, sounds will frequently also be distorted for somebody who has sensorineural hearing loss. Conversations may feel challenging as you struggle to differentiate between similar sounds.
How it may sound:
- The sensation of hearing some sounds while others fade into the background
- Difficulty distinguishing vowels from consonants, leading to misunderstandings
- Speech that sounds muddled or distorted
This distortion can lead to frustrating communication barriers, where you think you comprehend what’s being said but misinterpret key details.
The intermittent sounds of tinnitus
Hearing loss often comes with tinnitus symptoms. It usually manifests as phantom sounds that aren’t actually there, which can cause actual sounds to be even more difficult to hear.
You may hear the following:
- Internal hissing or ringing sounds in your ears
- Buzzing or static noises
- Ocean-like waves, crickets chirping, or the whooshing of wind
Each individual’s experience with tinnitus can differ, but these invasive sounds can substantially affect daily life and the enjoyment of other sounds.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss can be a gradual process, and identifying the sounds associated with it is crucial for early intervention. It’s probably time to make an appointment for a hearing assessment if you find yourself having difficulty following along with conversations or needing people to frequently repeat what they said.
When to see a hearing specialist
If you think you are detecting any kind of hearing loss or tinnitus, scheduling a hearing test is essential. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and supply you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be significantly improved by knowing what hearing loss sounds like. Don’t wait to get help; your hearing health is important.
Contact us right away for a consultation.