Hearing loss is something that affects about 20 percent of all Americans, over 48 million people. The third most common health issue after arthritis and heart disease, it impacts more of us than you might think, but it’s also not always as easily noticed as you might think. There are different degrees that can gradually progress from mild to severe, so it’s important to keep an ear out for the noticeable signs you should get your hearing checked.

Difficulty hearing voices

Perhaps the biggest warning sign if when you find yourself having to regularly ask people to repeat themselves in conversation. If it sounds like people are mumbling or their voice is somehow distorted, you might be suffering from hearing loss. The same concern goes for when you’re talking on the phone. It’s harder to hear on the phone than it is in a one-to-one conversation, but if you’re avoiding phone calls because you have a hard time interpreting them, you should consider that a warning sign.

Environmental noise issues

We live in a noisier world, which is in itself a risk factor for hearing difficulties. Noisy places like parties, on planes, and in cars are more common now. But if you have a lot of difficulty hearing in such environments, it might be down to more than just the general level of noise around you. Similarly, if you’re in a quiet environment but you fail to pick up the regular sounds of the environment, such as the birds singing or the sound of a notification on your phone, it could be down to hearing loss.

Turning it up

A major warning sign is if you find yourself having to constantly turn up the volume level of televisions, speakers, and anything using headphones or earphones. If others are using these devices before you and you find that their volume level doesn’t work for you, or if they show surprise at how loud you keep it, you might need a test. This is especially true when using headphones with mobile phones, as the higher volumes of these devices are much louder than they should be and can lead to further hearing loss.

Ears ringing

Most of us will experience a ringing-in-the-ears sensation at some point in our lives. However, if it’s persistent, it might be more than an out-of-the-blue oddity. It might be the condition known as tinnitus, which is commonly associated with hearing difficulties and damage to the ears. Tinnitus can be a lifelong condition, with links to depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and much more. Experiencing ringing ears in a loud environment is a clear indication that you are suffering hearing damage, too. Noise exposure and aging can affect all of us and hearing tests are one of the most effective ways of catching those early signs of hearing loss. If any of the signs above are familiar to you, it might be time to set an appointment with the audiologist.