Audiology

Hearing

Preventing Hearing Loss Certain types of hearing loss are preventable. For example: • You can prevent noise-related hearing loss by limiting your exposure to noise at work, at home, and during your recreational activities. If necessary, wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Signs of the early stages of hearing loss include:

• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
• Frequently asking others to repeat what they’ve said
• Misunderstanding what people say
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone
• Requiring the TV or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
• Feeling that people are mumbling when they are talking
• Difficulty hearing certain environmental sounds, such as birds chirping
• Agreeing or nodding your head during conversations when you’re not sure what’s been said
• Removing yourself from conversations because it’s too difficult to hear
• Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying
• Straining to hear or keep up with conversations
• Tinnitus

Learn More

• What is Hearing Loss?
• Causes of Hearing Loss
• Types of Hearing Loss
• Diagnosing Hearing Loss
• Degrees of Hearing Loss
• Treating Hearing Loss
• Preventing Hearing Loss