Hearing Center: Signs You May be Suffering From Auditory Loss

Those who work in a hearing center are accustomed to listening to many variations on the same stories every day. While impairment and disability are very personal struggles, the signs and symptoms are often quite general and common. This is why those in the industry and doctors with training and experience can pick out the telltale signs of auditory loss quite easily. Of course, you only get the benefit of their knowledge if you make an appointment. If you notice any of the following signs in your own life, you might want to see a professional for further evaluation. Muffled Sounds This is one of the most common signs of auditory loss, and it is one any hearing center or doctor's office will be very familiar with. But will you notice it yourself. Impairment usually doesn't come on all at once. You may be struck partially deaf by an extremely loud rock concert, but for most people, loss comes as a result of progressive damage over a number of years. This hearkens back to the example of the frog and the boiling water. Drop a frog into a pot of boiling water and he will leap right back out. Slowly raise the temperature, however, while the frog is submerged, and he will never notice the change. This is why you should seek out a professional evaluation if you've noticed any muffling in what you hear. Misunderstanding Speech Frequently, people who find themselves in a hearing center because they are having a hard time understanding speech don't realize that they have ear damage. Common belief is that auditory loss always affects the volume of what you hear. While this is often true, it isn't true for everyone. In some cases, the volume may not change, while your ability to parse out words and understand speech may become diminished. All of a sudden, hearing someone talk may become akin to listening to a foreign language. The words are at the proper volume, but they don't make sense. Hiking the Volume Pay attention to what others say when you listen to the television or stereo at a comfortable (to you) volume. Do they often complain that you have it too loud? Do you feel as though turning it down would defeat the purpose of watching/listening to it in the first place? This could be a sign of auditory loss. Even if it isn't, and it is just a sign of your preferences, you should consider sacrificing some volume in the name of protecting your ears from damage.