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Understanding the Signs of Hearing Loss in Aging Adults

October is Audiology Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to understand hearing loss and its signs.

The American Academy of Audiology started the annual event in 2008, with the intent of bringing awareness to hearing health and the importance of hearing protection. 

Changes in hearing are often subtle and come on slowly. The average length of time from when someone first notices a shift in hearing to when he/she schedules a hearing test is 7 years!     Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a decrease in quality of life, and newer research shows hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive changes and dementia.

With over 30 million Americans experiencing some degree of hearing loss, the audiology community is encouraging people to address hearing changes sooner.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Make an appointment to have your hearing checked when you or a loved one experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Frequently having to ask others to repeat themselves

  • Speech is loud enough, just not clear enough

  • Mistaking one word for another; responding inappropriately

  • Difficulty understanding conversation in noisy environments

  • Difficulty listening on the phone or when watching television

  • Needing to see the speaker’s face in order to ensure understanding

  • Ringing/buzzing/hissing in one or both ears aka “tinnitus” 

  • Fatigue or exhaustion from straining to hear in conversations

  • Withdrawing from favorite activities due to hearing difficulties

  • Feeling anxiety when in conversation due to hearing issues

If you or your loved one experience any of these changes in hearing or communication function, make an appointment to have your hearing screened. You should hear what you are missing!

For MAV:

At the Masonicare Hearing Center in Wallingford, we offer free audiology screenings. Please call us to schedule an appointment at 203-679-6909 or visit us on the web by clicking here.

For MAM:

At Masonicare at Mystic, we offer free onsite audiology screenings regularly through Audiology Concierge. To learn more, please call (888) 502-8859.

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