Conversations are harder
Do you find yourself saying, “Pardon?” a lot during conversations, or having to ask others to repeat themselves or speak more slowly? Do people sound like they’re always mumbling? Not being able to fully understand and engage in conversations can make socialising tiring and you may begin to avoid it. The added mental energy can also result in loss of confidence, anxiety and frustration.
Turning up the volume
You may find the volume needs to be turned up on the TV or other devices much higher than the rest of your family. You might also rely on subtitles to get you through a movie.
Noisy places make hearing difficult
When you’re surrounded by lots of noise, such as in a crowded restaurant or a busy conference room, it can be hard to hear what people are saying. It’s common for people with hearing loss to have trouble understanding speech or following directions when there’s significant background noise or group discussion – an often-frustrating scenario for all.
Withdrawing from conversation
Hearing loss can leave you feeling exhausted from concentrating to understand what people are saying. Many people report that retreating from conversations becomes the easier option, rather than staying involved and battling through with their hearing difficulties.
