Often times, it is not the individual who is lacking the ability to hear well that notices it first. In many situations, it is the family or friends of the individual who see changes present in the way a person responds or interacts with them. In some cases, these changes occur in children but in other cases, it is the elderly who face the highest risk of hearing loss. Understanding when you may be suffering from a loss of the ability to hear is very important. With the help of an ENT, you can better evaluate whether or not there is a reason for concern.

Symptoms of hearing loss

The most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:

• An individual hears speech as more muffled than clear. They may complain about needing someone to speak clearer to them.
• Some words can be hard to understand. This worsens when there is any type of background noise present.
• Being in a crowd, even if it does not seem overly loud, can lead to limitations in the ability to hear well.
• The individual asks others quite often to speak louder.
• The individual asks other people to speak more slowly or in a clear voice.
• There is often an avoidance of social gatherings especially as the condition worsens because these situations can become less enjoyable and more embarrassing.
• Many individuals will simply withdraw from the conversation as a result of being unable to hear well.
• When should you see a doctor? If you notice any of these signs, seek out a doctor’s appointment sooner rather than later. Generally, any type of sudden hearing loss especially in just one ear requires immediate attention from an ear doctor. In other cases, visit your doctor when it becomes hard for you to understand the people around you, when sounds seem more muffled than clear, and when you find that it is necessary to turn the TV or radio louder so that you can hear it better. These are indications that there may be some level of loss present.

See a Doctor

By going in to see your doctor, it may be possible to determine the cause, determine the extent of the damage, and to take steps to improve your hearing overall. Give our offices a call today so that you can schedule an appointment with the best ENT in New York City and get the care you need.

Schedule a consultation today at 212-867-4813.