Hearing loss usually begins subtly. You may dismiss your need for people to repeat themselves as them mumbling or background noise. But when this happens, you begin to think that you might be starting to develop hearing loss. It will be easier to recognize whether your own hearing is changing by understanding the sounds that accompany hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss makes the world sound softer
For many people, conductive hearing loss manifests as sounds that seem softer than they once did. You may notice that your loved one frequently asks you to “speak up,” or they fail to recognize that the television volume is extremely loud.
Here are a few things you might hear:
- The volume of sounds seem lower than they used to
- The need for others to speak louder
- In environments where there is lots of background noise, you have a harder time hearing clearly
This type of hearing loss may feel like a muffled auditory experience, making familiar sounds seem distant or indistinct.
The distorted sounds of sensorineural hearing loss
In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, not only are sounds quieter, but they can also become distorted. It’s challenging to differentiate between similar sounds making conversations difficult.
What you might hear:
- Being able to hear some sounds but not others
- Speech that sounds muddled or unclear
- Difficulty distinguishing vowels from consonants, leading to misunderstandings
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
Hearing loss often comes with tinnitus symptoms. It can manifest as persistent or periodic sounds that overlap with external noises.
You may hear the following:
- Internal hissing or ringing sounds in your ears
- Buzzing or static noises
- Sounds like ocean waves, chirping crickets, or whooshing wind
Tinnitus symptoms can manifest in many ways and can substantially impact quality of life.
Identifying the sounds of changing hearing
Hearing loss can be a slow process, and recognizing the sounds connected with it is essential 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 themselves.
When is it time for a hearing exam?
If you think you are detecting any form of hearing loss or tinnitus, scheduling a hearing test is crucial. We can help clarify the state of your hearing and provide you with the best course of treatment. Your quality of life can be significantly 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.
Contact us right away for a consultation.