Signs of hearing loss in adults

Hearing loss can be sudden or gradual and the signs are not always obvious. Read about the common symptoms of hearing loss below.

Signs that you may have hearing loss

While talking with others:

• You strain to hear or struggle to keep up with conversations.

• You find it difficult to hear amongst background noise.

• You often ask people to repeat what they've said.

• You mishear what people say.

• You agree or nod during conversations when you're not sure what's being said.

• You withdraw from conversations because it's too difficult to hear.

• You read lips to understand what people are saying.

• You feel people are mumbling when they talk.

While doing everyday activities:

• It's difficult to hear on the phone.

• You turn up the volume on the TV or radio louder than others in the room prefer.

• You can't hear the sounds of nature, such as rain falling or birds chirping.

When you're alone:

• There is a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in your ear.

• It's hard to hear on one side.

• It's difficult to tell where sounds are coming from.

• Your voice sounds different.

• You feel pain or pressure in one or both ears.

What's the next step?

If you experience these situations, we advise you to get your hearing tested by a hearing health professional who specialises in all types of hearing loss solutions.

Why it's important to take action on hearing loss

It is often easier and less stressful to minimize the importance of a real hearing problem by viewing it as a temporary disorder. Or as an affection with which one should learn to live, rather than worry about it.

It is important to know that most hearing loss gets worse over time. The sooner the problem is detected and treated, the more likely it is that preventing further worsening of hearing loss will be effective, and the better the results of proper treatment of the hearing problem.