You might have experienced hearing loss if you. . .Socially:
- Require frequent repetition.
- Have difficulty following conversations involving more than 2 people.
- Think that other people sound muffled or like they're mumbling.
- Think that people speak to fast.
- Have difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like conferences, restaurants, malls, or crowded meeting rooms.
- Have trouble hearing children and women.
- Have your TV or radio turned up to a high volume.
- Answer or respond inappropriately in conversations.
- Read lips or more intently watch people's faces when they speak with you.
Emotionally:
- Feel stressed out from straining to hear what others are saying.
- Feel annoyed at other people because you can't hear or understand them.
- Feel embarrassed to meet new people or from misunderstanding what others are saying.
- Feel nervous about trying to hear and understand.
- Withdraw from social situations that you once enjoyed because o f difficulty hearing.
Medically:
- Have a family history of hearing loss.
- Take medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic drugs).
- Have diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems.
- Have been exposed to very loud sounds over a long period or single exposure to explosive noise.
References: EXCERTS TAKEN FROM THE HEARING INSTITUTE WEB PAGE Patricia E. Connelly, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA, New Jersey Medical School, NEWARK, NJ