May is here! It seems like only yesterday we were pulling on our boots and zipping up our parkas. Now the wildflowers are blooming and the days are staying lighter longer. If you are like us, you are probably asking yourself how it is already May. And with that, how is it Better Hearing & Speech Month already?
This month-long event was created to encourage people to take action if they believe there might be a problem with their hearing or speech.
So the question is, how do you know if you may have hearing loss? Below are the top five symptoms of hearing loss you should be on the lookout for.
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
Missing bits and pieces of a conversation can be infuriating. In order to compensate for the missing parts, you will start asking people to repeat themselves. While this is frustrating for you, imagine how frustrating it is on their end. Contact your Portland audiologist today to help alleviate the burden you are placing on your friends and family.
Feeling like others mumble when they speak.
A common complaint heard by Portland audiologists is that everyone around their patient has started to mumble. While we never like to say never, the possibility that everyone became mumblers overnight is pretty small. Instead, the more likely scenario is that you are having trouble hearing them. Hearing loss makes it harder for you to hear others, especially women and children.
Having trouble following conversations with background noise.
It should come as no surprise that it is harder to carry on a conversation in a busy store than it is in a quiet room. Those with hearing loss find it even more challenging, as their brain has to work harder to distinguish speech from sounds. This can lead to both mental and physical exhaustion.
Turning the volume on the television or radio up.
Would you like it if you walked into a room and someone jumped out to scare you? Neither do your friends and family. When you watch television, in order to hear it you typically have to turn the volume way up. If you don’t turn the volume back down before turning the television off, the next person to turn it on is in for a treat. To avoid blowing our your loved one’s eardrums, contact your Portland audiologist.
Avoiding social gatherings.
Leaving your hearing loss untreated can lead to an increase in feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness. These feelings are often escalated when those with hearing loss begin to turn down invitations to social events, as it is easier to stay home than to deal with the frustration that comes from trying to communicate with others.
Don’t let Better Hearing & Speech month pass you by without taking the message to heart. If you think there is a chance you may have hearing loss, now is the time to do something about it. Contact your Portland audiologist today to get started.
