Changes in hearing can be hard to detect because they may happen very gradually over many years. Hereditary factors, noise exposure, side effects of medications and other medical conditions may contribute to hearing ability. You may notice any of the following signs:
- Confusing sounds or words
- Turning the TV up louder than others
- Requesting repetitions in person or on the phone
- Missing sounds heard by others
- Increased difficulty in groups or background noise
- Not responding or responding incorrectly
Self-assessment of hearing loss or level is extremely difficult. Visit a hearing healthcare professional to properly test hearing ability.