Warning Signs That You May Need To See An Audiologist

Health & Medical Blog

Hearing loss is the third most common health complaint in the United States and this number is only expected to rise as America's population continues to age. While some hearing loss with age is normal, extreme hearing loss or complete deafness is not.

Thankfully, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent or reverse hearing loss. The first is to determine if you are suffering from a significant hearing loss. While only a licensed audiologist can determine the extent of your hearing problems, there are warning signs that your hearing is failing. Knowing what these signs are can help you determine whether a trip to the audiologist is required.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Do I frequently ask people to repeat themselves or does it sound like everyone is mumbling? - Everyone misses what is said to them occasionally but if you regularly have to ask people to repeat themselves, then you may have a hearing problem.
• Is there a ringing or buzzing in my ears? - Over 26 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. While this may seem like an annoyance that you can live with, it is often a symptom of a larger problem that can and should be corrected.
• Do you struggle to understand when children talk to you? - An inability to hear high-pitched sounds, like children's or some women's voices, is often an early warning sign of hearing loss.
• Do you have trouble singling out a single voice or sound among many? - Having trouble hearing someone talk when there is a lot of background noise is also a symptom of hearing loss.
• Do you have trouble understanding people on the phone? - The human body is incredibly adaptable and without realizing it you may be using your eyes to boost your hearing by watching people's mouths and expressions while they speak. If you struggle to understand people who you can not see, like when speaking on the phone, you may be suffering from hearing loss.

Hearing loss tends to be a problem that develops gradually and so can sometimes be difficult to recognize until it is in its advanced stages. If you answered yes to any of these questions it may be time to ask your primary physician for a referral to see an audiologist like White Mountain Hearing Service LLC. They are the only healthcare professionals with the training, knowledge and experience to accurately diagnose and treat hearing loss.

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13 January 2015