Anyone can lose their hearing. No matter how old you are or how healthy you feel, your hearing can be affected by your day to day activities. Too much loud noise at home, in the workplace, or coming through your headphones and you could be dealing with a lower level of hearing. And for some people, genetics play a role in causing hearing loss at a younger age. It’s a complex thing, and it’s something to keep an eye out for so you can act in time. As such, here are some of the most common early signs of hearing loss that you should know about as a young adult:

Everything Needs Turning Up Higher:

Have you started needing to turn the volume up on your phone, tablet, or TV much louder than you used to? Say you always had the volume set to fifteen and that was fine, but these days you need it at twenty and above. Dialogue just doesn’t feel all that easy for you to parse anymore. It could be an issue with the device itself, of course. It could also be a problem with the way the sound was recorded for whatever media you’re watching. But it could also be a sign your hearing has been impacted.

People Keep Saying You’re Being Loud:

Are you noticing that more and more people are saying you’re talking quite loudly, but you didn’t even realize? That could be a sign of hearing loss, especially if no one really said anything like this to you before. Or alternatively, you think you’re speaking at a normal volume, but everyone’s suddenly telling you that you’re being really quiet. Both of these things can, in fact, be a sign of hearing loss. And when it comes to difficulties in general conversation, a trip to the audio doctor is the next best thing to plan. After all, you could be in need of hearing aids. And if you do, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of different styles and options to suit your ears, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Plus, your audiologist will be there to walk you through choosing a set that’s right for you.

You’ve Stopped Noticing Background Noise:

It’s hard to notice when you’re not noticing something – that’s why it’s called ‘background noise’. But if you’re never noticing when there’s some sound going on around you, it could be another sign you’re dealing with a form of hearing loss. Maybe cafes aren’t as loud as they used to be, as you haven’t really heard much chatter going on around you? And what about when you’re on the bus to work – does the sound of the bus sound as loud as it used to? The next time you get the chance, focus on the background and see what you’re picking up.

Hearing loss can creep up on you, and it can happen at any age. Pay attention to signs like these to prevent the problem from getting worse!

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