Have you ever wished that people would just stop mumbling, that someone would fix this awful phone you’re using and, by the way – no, the TV is not too loud? Any and all of the above complaints could be normal everyday frustrations. Or they could be signs of gradual hearing loss.
The fact is: hearing loss is rarely sudden. Most often it follows a gradual progression that can be diagnosed and perhaps even halted. The first step, of course, is knowing what the four levels are and what symptoms are associated with each:
Mild
Mild hearing loss is often difficult for us to see in ourselves. One-on-one conversation is usually fine, leading many to believe their hearing is also fine. Background noise or group and telephone conversations, however, make it difficult to catch every word. The voices of women and children may be the most difficult to perceive.
Moderate
Moderate hearing loss is characterized by the frequent need to ask people to repeat words and difficulty keeping up with normal conversation. This may cause frustration or misunderstandings on both sides. The use of hearing aids will alleviate the majority of these symptoms.
Severe
Overcoming severe hearing loss will require the use of hearing aids, as conversation becomes impractical or even impossible without assistance. Some lip reading or even sign language may be employed to further assist.
Profound
Those with profound hearing loss must rely on lipreading and sign language, in conjunction with the use of properly fit hearing and assistive listening devices they may hear only very loud sounds or no sound at all.
Regardless of what level of hearing loss you may find yourself in, protecting your ears is of vital importance. Simple measures like turning down the volume on your music or wearing protective equipment will help, but at Schneiker Audiology Services we understand that everyone’s situation, including yours, is unique. That’s why we’d love to have you come in to discuss your personal circumstances and how we can improve your specific situation.
Book a hearing test today, and discover how our family style service can make a difference in your life.