If you've been having trouble hearing the people in your life and the sounds around you recently, you're not alone. 55% of adults over the age of 75 suffer from disabling hearing loss.
Many seniors lose hearing capabilities as they age, but the sooner that early hearing loss symptoms are identified, the more time you'll have to slow it down and come up with solutions. It's important to pay attention to the signs when they come up to minimize hearing and communication challenges.
If you do notice these early hearing loss signs, you'll want to see a professional. You can then take steps to improve the situation and prevent further hearing loss.
There are several common signs and symptoms that you'll likely notice and experience if you have early hearing loss. Here's what you should be looking for.
One sign that you have early hearing loss is frequently turning the volume up when listening to the TV, radio, or another media device. You may find that others in your home complain that the volume is too high when it seems to be a reasonable volume to you.
If this happens to you, take note. Realize that it may be a sign of age-related hearing decline.
If group situations have become difficult for you and you find it hard to hear and follow loud conversation, you may be beginning to experience hearing loss.
Hearing loss can make it difficult to interact with others and follow a conversation and this can be damaging to your social interactions. If you're experiencing difficulty hearing in these situations, it's a clear sign that you should get your hearing checked out by a professional.
Similarly, if you find that you need to ask people to repeat themselves often when speaking with them or if you respond inappropriately to them after mishearing them, you may be experiencing early hearing loss.
While these mistakes may happen to everyone from time to time, take note if they seem to be becoming more common.
If you've recently had difficulty participating in group conversations, you may also begin to experience fatigue afterward.
You may find that loud conversations leave you exhausted as you try to follow and keep up with everything that is being discussed. You may also experience headaches when working to keep up with these conversations.
If you have tinnitus or ringing in your ears, then it may be because you have hearing loss. Tinnitus may also manifest as a buzzing or hissing sound and could happen constantly or only at certain times.
Regardless of how you're experiencing this sensation, it could be a symptom of early hearing loss as a senior.
Another sign of early hearing loss is difficulty hearing frequencies that are on the higher end of the spectrum. Certain noises could become difficult to hear or seem far away. This includes noises such as:
Take note if this seems to be happening to you, as it could be a sign of hearing issues.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above or suspect that you have early hearing loss, you'll want to take action as soon as possible. It's important to see a professional so that you can take steps to slow down problems as much as possible. Managing hearing loss can also help prevent issues such as social isolation and can help you stay engaged when interacting with family and friends.
Social isolation can lead to mental health problems as well, so it's important to ensure you can participate in conversations, maintain social connections, and take part in fun activities with others. If your brain is working harder to listen to others and hear sounds, you may also experience cognitive decline as well.
Seeing a professional and getting hearing assessments can be helpful. You'll be able to get your hearing problems diagnosed and find out if there's anything that can be done to improve the situation and reduce the symptoms you're experiencing. They may recommend an assisted listening device or lifestyle changes that can help. The right listening device can allow you to hear more easily while reducing strain.
In addition to this, you may need to make some improvements to your environment at home. Whether you live on your own or in an amazing assisted living community, a few simple changes can make a big difference. Adding curtains, carpeting, and other features can help reduce street noise, echoes, and other sounds and can help facilitate conversation, making it easier for you to hear throughout the day.
Also, remember that maintaining your general well-being can also be useful for maintaining your hearing as well. Improving your diet and implementing a workout routine can help you stay healthy and may help reduce hearing problems. By recognizing symptoms early on, you can begin to make changes that will help you maintain senior auditory health.
If you've discovered that you're experiencing early hearing loss symptoms, you should take steps to minimize its impact. Make sure that you don't lose hope and consider seeing a specialist. Then, take any steps that they recommend to deal with the problem and maintain a great quality of life.
Another way to maintain a great quality of life as a senior and ensure excellent social connection is to move into an assisted living community. Moving into an assisted living community with excellent services and amenities, such as LakeHouse Three Rivers, can be a great choice and will allow you to live your best life as a senior.
Wondering if assisted living in Three Rivers, Michigan, is right for you? Contact us today to take a tour of our community and to learn more about what we have to offer seniors in Three Rivers, MI.