Signs and symptoms of hearing loss
How to recognize the signs of hearing loss and how to act on them.
Common signs of hearing loss
If any of the following situations sound familiar, it might be time to check your hearing:
1. Difficulty following conversations
Do you find it challenging to follow conversations in noisy places, like restaurants or family gatherings? If group discussions leave you feeling lost or exhausted from trying to keep up, your hearing could be the reason.
2. Phone conversations are unclear
Whether you’re chatting with a loved one or taking an important call, voices on the other end may sound unclear or distant—especially in quiet settings or when there’s background noise.
3. People seem to be mumbling
If you often ask others to repeat themselves or feel like people aren't speaking clearly, it may not be them—it may be your hearing. When certain sounds become harder to distinguish, speech can start to sound muffled or unclear.
4. Difficulty locating sounds
Have you ever heard your name but weren’t sure who called you? Or struggled to figure out where a noise—like a ringing phone or honking car—is coming from? Difficulty locating sounds can be another sign of hearing loss.
5. Ringing or buzzing in your ears
A persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears (called tinnitus) can be linked to hearing loss. It can be distracting, especially in quiet environments, and may interfere with focus or sleep.
6. Turning the TV up too loud
Do your family or friends complain that the TV is too loud? If you find yourself constantly increasing the volume to understand dialogue, it could be a sign that your hearing has changed.
Recognizing these signs early can make a big difference. If any of these sound familiar, consider getting your hearing checked—it’s quick, easy, and can help you stay connected to the world around you.
Ask yourself: Do you need a hearing test?
Answer the four questions below to see if you should consider getting a hearing test.
Your Result:
We recommend a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your Result:
We recommend a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your Result:
We could not determine whether you need a hearing test
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Pay attention to early symptoms of hearing loss
Since hearing loss occurs gradually, it may be difficult to notice when your hearing begins to decline. In many cases, friends and family may notice it before you do.
We recommend that you educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of hearing loss so that you can seek treatment and reap the benefits of better hearing. When you visit a local HearingLife clinic for an in-depth hearing evaluation, a hearing care professional will identify your level of hearing ability and recommend the most optimal treatment option for your hearing needs.
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Early recognition may improve your quality of life
- Missing out on conversations with loved ones, friends, and colleagues each day
- Feeling left out or unable to hear in social environments
- Feelings of isolation or depression
Types of hearing loss: signs and symptoms
The most common type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss, and it is mainly caused by the natural aging process and / or extensive exposure to loud sounds. It is important to understand the difference between sensorineural hearing loss and other types of hearing loss in order understand the best treatment options available.
| Signs of sensorineural hearing loss |
Signs of conductive hearing loss | Signs of sudden hearing loss |
| Difficulty following conversations involving more than two people | Speech and other sounds seem distant or muffled | Unexplained rapid loss of hearing |
| Difficulty following conversation when there’s background noise | Pain, pressure in or discharge from the ear | Loss of hearing all at once or over a couple of days |
| Difficulty understanding phone conversations | A feeling of “fullness” | It is almost always experienced in one ear only |
| Sounds seem unclear or people sound like they are mumbling | Decrease in the volume of the sounds (but the sounds are not distorted) | It can go away by itself, or be reversed by medical treatment |
| Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds | Vertigo | |
| Ringing or buzzing in the ears, called tinnitus |
| Sudden hearing loss: Seek help immediately If you experience sudden hearing loss, you should seek medical attention immediately! It is more likely that you will regain some of your hearing back if you treat this type of hearing loss within the first 72 hours. |
Levels of hearing loss
Hearing loss can be categorized by severity level. Your level of hearing ability is measured in decibels (dB), referring to how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them.
Hearing loss levels
Hearing loss treatment options
Fortunately, there is a wealth of hearing loss treatments available to suit all types of hearing loss needs.
The most likely and common treatment for hearing loss is wearing hearing aids. In some cases, a cochlear implant (CI) or bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) might be recommended. Surgery or other medical solutions may also be recommended in some cases.
Regardless of the best treatment option for you, the sooner you seek help, the better your outcome will be.
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5 steps to improving your hearing
Did you know?
Today’s hearing aids are more technologically advanced and smaller than ever.
Some of them are practically invisible and, despite their small size, offer excellent sound quality - even in difficult listening situations.
FAQ about signs and symptoms of hearing loss
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Degree, with Distinction, from the University of Western Ontario in 2006, followed by a Master's degree in Audiology from the same institution in 2008. Upon completing her studies, she began providing hearing healthcare as an Audiologist at various HearingLife clinics in the Waterloo Region, eventually settling at the Cambridge HearingLife clinic, where she has helped her clients experience better hearing for over 13 years.
Alongside her role as Senior Manager, Audiology at HearingLife, she has been a Part-Time Professor at Conestoga College in the Hearing Instrument Specialist program since 2019, teaching both Clinical Principles 1 and 2 courses.
Last reviewed 2024-12-16
