Updated on April 18, 2024.
Though hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in the United States, it frequently goes unnoticed. In fact, the person with the hearing problem is often the last to realize it.
As you get older, it's important to be aware of how your hearing may change, how to recognize those changes, and how to prevent and manage hearing loss. Doing this will help you stay connected to family and friends and be fully engaged in your daily life.
A simple hearing self-check
Want to give your hearing a quick check? Try answering questions a healthcare provider (HCP) might ask if they were deciding if you have hearing loss. If you usually wear a hearing aid, answer based on how you hear with the device in place.
- Do you find that family and friends seem to mumble so that you can't fully understand them?
- Do you have a difficult time hearing people speak when there is a lot of background noise, such as the chatter of voices, traffic or outdoor noises, or the sound of music or TV?
- Do you frequently ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do people ever mention that you listen to the television with the volume really high?
- Do you have trouble hearing people when you speak on the phone?
- Is it difficult to hear when someone speaks softly or in a whisper?
- Has anyone ever told you that you may have a hearing problem?
If you answered "Yes" to one or fewer questions: An HCP might conclude that a hearing problem is unlikely, should they ask you similar questions.
If you answered "Yes" to two to four questions: An HCP might suspect there is a problem with your hearing, should they ask you similar questions. Your answers suggest you could have a small to moderate degree of hearing loss.
If you answered "Yes" to five or more questions: An HCP might believe there is a strong possibility you could have a hearing problem, should they ask you similar questions. Your answers suggest you may have significant hearing issues. Make an appointment with an HCP to have your hearing checked.
Remember that your answers to these questions do not represent a clinically valid diagnosis. There are also other questions your HCP might ask when checking your symptoms.
Only a hearing specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after doing an in-depth hearing evaluation. Specialists you might visit for a thorough exam include an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist (also called an otolaryngologist) or an otologist.
Why you might not notice hearing loss
People with mild hearing issues often don't notice them. Even when they do, many wait several years before seeking help. They may become isolated during that time, since they miss out on the sounds, conversations, and noises of life in a world designed for people with full hearing.
There are several reasons someone might not recognize they're losing their ability to hear:
- Hearing loss often happens slowly. It's often so gradual, it may take someone decades to notice how much their hearing has been affected.
- Hearing loss is selective. For example, you might have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds at first, but you may hear lower pitches just fine. You could also have trouble distinguishing certain consonant sounds and blends, such as S or a soft C, F, CH, SH, or H.
- You can't feel or see hearing loss. Typically, hearing loss doesn't cause physical sensations, such as pain. Without pain signals, you may not be alarmed enough to take action, so the hearing loss goes unmanaged. There are often no outward physical signs of the condition either, making it easy for others to ignore.
If you or others in your life suspect you may have hearing loss, don’t ignore it or hope it will go away on its own. Speak with an HCP to learn more about your hearing loss and how it can be managed.
