Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is very common. And it's one of the most common health problems as people age. Most people aged 65 and older have some hearing loss. By age 80, almost everyone does. Hearing loss often occurs slowly over the years. So you may not realize your hearing has gotten worse.

If you have sudden hearing loss, contact your health care provider right away. Your provider will do a medical exam and a hearing exam as soon as possible. Your options for treating the hearing loss may depend on the cause and the type of hearing loss you have.

Contact your health care provider if:

• You have to strain to hear normal conversation.
• You have to watch other people's faces very carefully to follow what they're saying.
• You often need to ask people to repeat what they've said.
• You often misunderstand what people are saying.
• You turn the volume of the TV, radio, or computer up so high that others complain.
• It sounds like people are mumbling when they're talking to you.
• The effort it takes to hear leaves you feeling tired and irritated.
• You hear better with one ear than the other when you use the phone.