Signs of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

What to Look For

Prevention and early detection of noise-induced hearing loss are important. It is also important to pay attention to signs of hearing loss and to get your hearing tested. Signs include:

1. Speech and other sounds seem muffled.
2. Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds.
3. Trouble understanding conversations when in a noisy place, such as a restaurant.
4. Trouble understanding speech over the phone.
5. Trouble hearing certain sounds such as the difference between s and f in speech.
6. Asking others to speak more slowly and clearly.
7. Asking someone to speak more loudly or repeat what they said.
8. Turning up the volume of the television or radio.
9. Ringing in the ears.
10. Certain sounds are very bothersome or create pain.