You may notice a number of early warning signs, and changes in behavior that could be related to hearing loss.

• Complain that people are mumbling
• Frequently ask people to repeat what they have said
• Prefer the television or radio louder than other others prefer
• Have trouble understanding what is being said at public gatherings
• Have difficulties understand group conversations
• Strain to hear conversations

• Require frequent repetition
• Have difficulty following conversations involving more than two people
• Think that other people sound muffled or like they’re mumbling
• Have difficulty hearing in noisy situations such as 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 watch people’s faces more intently when they speak with you

• 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 of difficulty hearing

• Have a family history of hearing loss
• Take medications, also known as ototoxic drugs, which can harm the hearing system
• Have a medical condition like diabetes, or heart, thyroid or circulation problems
• Have been exposed to very loud sounds over a long period of time or a single exposure to explosive noise(s)
• Have ringing in your ears