Warning Signs

There are many different warning signs
that someone may be developing a hearing loss.

Common signs to look for include a ringing or buzzing in the ears immediately after exposure to noise; a slight muffling of sounds after noise exposure making it difficult to understand people when you leave a noisy area; and hearing on a telephone becomes increasingly more difficult. Below are the most common signs and symptoms of hearing loss:

• You have a history of ear infections, earaches or running ears.

• You experience ringing in your ears.

• You often ask people to repeat themselves.

• Your family complains that you play the radio or TV too loudly.

• You miss the punch line of jokes.

• You hear better with one ear than the other on the phone.

• You have difficulty understanding a conversation when in a large group or crowd.

• You have trouble understanding all the words in a conversation.

• You have trouble hearing when your back is turned to the speaker.

• You have been told you speak too loudly.