October is Audiology Awareness Month and a good reminder that people age 60+ and workers in noisy occupations (even those younger than 60) should have a baseline hearing test, and get rechecked every year. Making an annual audiologist appointment is the best way to track hearing changes over time and stay on top of your hearing health.
Signs that it’s time to see an audiologist include the following:
You turn up the volume of your TV louder than you used to
It’s hard to follow a storyline when you can’t hear it. If you need the TV set to a higher volume than others, you may have hearing loss.
You are experiencing tinnitus
Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, hissing or other sound that is heard in the head and/or the ears. It can be associated with hearing loss, but some people experience tinnitus despite having normal hearing. Noise exposure is a significant trigger.
You’re asking people to repeat themselves more often
This could be a sign that you are lacking some of the sounds needed to process speech properly.
Difficulty understanding people over the phone
If you have your phone set to the max volume or have to use the speakerphone to hear what someone on the other end is saying, this could be a sign that you are having trouble with your hearing.
You’re having trouble hearing people when they’re speaking, particularly women and children
Not being able to hear high-pitched speech frequencies, which often provide the clarity and meaning of the word, may make someone with hearing loss feel like they can hear the sound but not fully understand it.
Feeling irritated, frustrated, or isolated because of your hearing difficulties
People with hearing loss sometimes withdraw from social occasions. Gatherings are often noisy, making it hard to hear. It can feel frustrating or embarrassing to keep asking someone to repeat themselves.
You feel exhausted after socializing
When you aren’t hearing all of the sounds of speech, the brain then has to fill in any gaps to help make sense of what people are saying. It can feel draining.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, help is available! Dr. Pfleger and Dr. Fletcher will determine what’s going on with kindness and experience. They’ll provide strategies to help you manage your hearing so that you may live your best life!
Contact one of our offices to schedule your hearing evaluation:
Yarmouth Port: 508-385-5222
Marstons Mills: 508-539-9780