Hearing Health
Signs of Hearing Loss in Someone You Love
Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, especially as they age. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 430 million people have disabling hearing loss.
Unfortunately, many people don't realize they have hearing loss until it becomes a significant problem. It can be difficult for an individual to detect a pattern in themselves — they simply don't notice what they're missing.
Did you know? Family members are often the first to notice signs of hearing loss. A son or daughter may notice a parent turning up the TV louder than others, or a spouse might hear the kitchen timer go off while their partner didn't.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the common signs to look for in someone you think is experiencing hearing loss.
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Common Signs of Hearing Loss
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Difficulty Understanding Speech
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Difficulty Hearing High-Pitched Sounds
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Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
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Withdrawal From Social Situations
One of the most common signs of hearing loss is difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments like busy restaurants or parties.
For some, it may be hard to follow conversations, and they may often ask people to repeat themselves. Others might find it difficult to parse out speech with background noise, creating a reliance on lip-reading or visual cues.
Someone experiencing hearing loss may say others are mumbling, or that speakers are poor quality. If you notice your loved one making a pattern of similar excuses, it could be an indication of hearing loss.
💡 Watch for patterns, not isolated incidents. If your loved one frequently asks people to repeat themselves, it may be time for a hearing assessment.
Those experiencing hearing loss can often hear low-pitched sounds but miss high-pitched ones. For example, they might hear a car on the road but can't hear chirping birds.
Humans detect sounds from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and this range decreases as we age. High-pitched sounds are generally 2,000 Hz and above.
Common High-Pitched Sounds
- Children's voices
- Women's voices
- Birdsong
- Crickets chirping
- Mosquito buzzing
- Kitchen timers and alarms
- Speech sounds: "s," "th," "sh," "ch"
🔍 Many people don't notice this change right away. Family members are often the first to recognize when a loved one is missing everyday sounds.
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Ringing, buzzing, or hissing in one or both ears — known as tinnitus — is another common sign of hearing loss. It can be very distracting and is often a sign of inner ear damage.
Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud noises, ear infections, certain medications, or age-related hearing loss. If your loved one complains about ringing or buzzing in their ears, it could indicate a hearing problem.
Those experiencing hearing loss may nod along in conversations as if they heard, hiding feelings of embarrassment. This is known as "bluffing," and it can make recognizing hearing loss especially difficult.
If you suspect your loved one hasn't properly heard something, ask them for clarification.
More severely, they may withdraw from social situations altogether — avoiding family gatherings or events they once loved. Straining to hear is exhausting, and the frustration of missing conversations can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, with a real impact on overall well-being.
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