Hearing loss is extremely common. In fact, it is estimated that one in three people between ages 65 and 74 experiences hearing gloss. This number jumps to one in two for those 75 and older. Because hearing loss is a progressive condition – meaning it develops gradually over time – many do not realize they even have it.
Below are some of the most common signs of a hearing impairment.
The TV Is too Loud 
One of the chief complaints among those whose loved one has hearing loss is that the TV is way too loud. This is because TV shows and movies layer dialogue, sound effects and music, so people with hearing loss need to crank the volume up in order to discern what the characters are saying above the background noise.
They Speak Loudly
When you have hearing loss, you have difficulty gauging the volume of your own voice. It is common for people with hearing loss to speak loudly, especially on the phone or in public places like restaurants.
They Work Hard to Follow Along
If you notice that your loved one seems to be straining to hear, asking people to repeat themselves frequently or turning an ear when having a conversation, these are good indicators they are experiencing hearing loss.
Responses Don’t Match Conversation
Hearing loss typically affects higher frequencies first. Among the speech frequencies, vowels are much lower than consonants, meaning it can be difficult to decipher what consonant sounds are being produced. It can be easy to mistake a sentence like “That was a great fair” for “That was a great pear.” This can cause the person with hearing loss to answer questions that were not actually asked.
They Seem Off-Balance
Multiple studies have linked hearing loss and balance problems. In fact, one study of 2,000 adults found that people with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to experience a fall than those without. For every 10 additional dB of hearing loss, there is a 1.4-fold increased risk. This is likely because the inner ear houses both the hearing and balance system, and if one is damaged, the other likely is too.
For more information about the signs of hearing loss or to schedule an appointment with an audiologist, call the experts at CENTA today.