- DETECTING
HEARING LOSS
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- Maybe you already
know you or a family member is dealing with hearing loss.
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- Then again,
it may be happening so gradually you’re not sure. Unlike
many conditions, hearing loss is often hard to detect in its
early stages.
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- The kind of
signs to look for may differ based on your perspective—that
is, whether you’re checking for yourself or a loved one.
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- Click the appropriate
link at left to recognize the signs of hearing loss in someone
else or to evaluate your own situation.
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- You should
suspect a hearing loss if you:
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- Have a family
history of hearing loss.
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- Have been repeatedly
exposed to high noise levels.
Are inclined to believe that "everybody mumbles" or
"people don't speak as clearly as they used to"
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- Feel growing
nervous tension, irritability or fatigue from the effort to hear
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- Find yourself
straining to understand conversations and watching people's faces
intently when you are listening
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- Frequently misunderstand
or need to have things repeated
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- Increase the
television or radio volume to a point that others complain of
the loudness
Have diabetes; heart, thyroid, or circulation problems; reoccurring
ear infections; constant ringing in the ears; dizziness; or exposure
to ototoxic drugs or medications
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