Hearing changes can happen gradually, which means you may not immediately realize how much you’re missing. Maybe conversations seem less clear, you’re turning up the television more often, or restaurants have become frustratingly noisy. Over time, these small changes can make communicating with family, friends, and coworkers more difficult. How do you know when it’s time for hearing aids? Recognizing some common signs of hearing loss and scheduling a professional hearing evaluation can help you better understand your hearing and explore solutions that fit your needs. At Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley, we are here to help you identify your needs and explore hearing solutions for your individual needs. Come into Beltone and take the first step toward better hearing health!
1. You Frequently Ask People to Repeat Themselves
Everyone misses a word occasionally. But if “What?” or “Can you say that again?” has become a regular part of your conversations, it may be worth having your hearing checked. Hearing loss doesn’t always make everything sound quieter. In some cases, people can hear that someone is speaking but have difficulty understanding certain words or sounds clearly.
2. Conversations Are Harder in Noisy Places
Restaurants, family gatherings, parties, and other busy environments can make conversations challenging for anyone. However, if background noise regularly makes it difficult to understand the person sitting next to you, it could be a sign of hearing difficulty. Modern hearing aids are designed with features that can help manage background noise and make speech easier to focus on in different listening environments.
3. The TV Volume Keeps Going Up
Have family members started telling you that the television is too loud? Do you find yourself increasing the volume to understand dialogue? Needing a higher volume than the people around you can be another reason to consider scheduling a hearing test.
4. Phone Conversations Are Becoming Difficult
Phone calls can be especially challenging because you can’t rely on facial expressions or other visual cues to help understand what someone is saying. If you regularly struggle to follow conversations over the phone, Beltone’s hearing care professionals can evaluate your hearing and discuss whether hearing aids or other solutions could help.
5. You Feel Tired After Conversations
Listening shouldn’t feel like hard work. When hearing becomes more difficult, you may find yourself concentrating intensely on conversations just to keep up. If social gatherings or meetings leave you feeling unusually tired from trying to follow what everyone is saying, hearing difficulties could be contributing to the problem.
6. Friends or Family Have Mentioned Your Hearing
Sometimes the people around you notice hearing changes before you do. They may point out that you frequently misunderstand words, miss questions, turn up the volume, or ask people to repeat themselves. Rather than dismissing these observations, consider using them as a reason to get a professional evaluation.
Start With a Professional Hearing Evaluation, with Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley
Noticing one of these warning signs doesn’t automatically mean you need hearing aids. Hearing difficulties can have different causes, which is why the best place to start is with a professional hearing evaluation. At Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley, our hearing care professionals can assess your hearing, discuss the situations where you’re having difficulty, and explain your options. If hearing aids are appropriate, today’s devices come in a variety of styles and may include features such as rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone controls, and advanced sound processing. If conversations aren’t as clear as they used to be, don’t simply turn up the volume and hope for the best. Call Beltone to schedule your complimentary hearing evaluation and learn more about the hearing solutions available to help you stay connected to the people and moments that matter.