Hearing loss is something that affects up to 20% of Americans. For many people, the signs at the start of losing your hearing may not be fully apparent. Often, the changes are so gradual over a very long period, then you may not notice them. 

It may take friends, family members or partners to tell you that you have an issue with your hearing as it can be hard to pick up on the subtle changes. With the world around us continually changing the volume, we often put not being able to hear down external factors. To those who experience hearing loss, it is easy to assume that not being able to hear conversations is due to people talking quietly. Varying qualities in recordings on music and TV may mean that the volume setting ends up slowly creeping up. Losing the thread of conversations in busy places can often be solely attributed to the noisy environment. 

Often people assume that they are too young to experience hearing loss, or worry about the impact that it may have on their lives. Avoiding facing up the fact that you have hearing loss is not uncommon. But hearing loss is something that can be dealt with, and you can adapt and regain full enjoyment of your hearing with the help of an audiologist. 

Missing out on words that people say in a one-on-one conversation

If you find that you are continually asking people to repeat themselves, it may be a sign that you have hearing loss. While on occasions, it is possible to brush off some missed words if the speaker has a quiet voice or a thick accent that is unfamiliar to your ears. But if you find that you are having to stop people mid-sentence from getting them to repeat something, then this is a sign of hearing loss. You may find that you only really hear someone when you are both face-to-face, and even then, you may still find times when you lose words. 

You may feel as though those around you are getting frustrated at the fact that they often have to repeat themselves for you. If you are concerned that this is becoming a common problem for you, then you should get a hearing test. Wearing a hearing aid will help you to regain the clarity in what those around you are saying to you and will help you overcome the awkwardness of needing to ask people to say things more than once.

Sounds getting jumbled up in noisy places

When out in busy bars, restaurants or shops, there can be a lot going on. Noises can often blend into one, and you will be left unable to pick out one from another. This can become even more apparent if you are trying to enjoy a conversation with a group of people. 

Losing the thread of a conversation can cause social awkwardness, and it can become difficult to rejoin the group. If this is something that you have experienced, then seek out the help of an audiologist. A hearing aid may be a good option which will allow you to enjoy mingling in social circles fully once more. 

Unable to hear technology such as phones and TVs

We live in an age where technology is central to our lives. We use TVs and smartphones all of the time, and technology is a core part of the way that we communicate. If you find that the volume setting on your television is higher than you would have previously had it or that you are finding that you cannot hear your phone, then this too may be representative of hearing loss. 

If you are experiencing any form of hearing loss that affects the use of technology, then make an appointment with an audiologist today. Hearing aids can now be connected with commonly used devices to improve their sound quality for you. 

Having a full hearing test carried out will identify any underlying reasons for the loss that you are experiencing. Having a reduced ability to hear those around you may not be the problem that you think that it is. With modern hearing aid technology, it is very easy to improve the quality and clarity if your hearing. This will help you to fully regain your ability to participate in conversations and to enjoy the type of activities that may be important to you.  

For more advice and to book a hearing test, call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 374-1846.