Keeping Your Ears Open: Spotting the Subtle Signs of Hearing Changes

For many of us, our ears have been listening since before we were born, processing sound, learning language, and making meaning of the world around us.

Did you know? The inner ear and organ of hearing, known as the cochlea, is one of the first sensory organs to be functional before birth¹. Meanwhile, the outer ear continues to grow until around age nine, gradually forming the unique shape that gives each of us a kind of acoustic “fingerprint”, shaping how we hear and interpret sound².

Unless there's a sudden injury, illness, or extreme noise trauma, most hearing loss happens gradually. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, often goes unnoticed at first, but your ears may be trying to tell you something.

Here are five questions to ask yourself. If you answer "yes" to any of them, it may be time to schedule a 25-minute exploratory consultation to discuss what’s going on.

‍

‍

1. Do you struggle to understand voices when it's noisy?

Background noise can be frustrating for everyone, but if you find it increasingly difficult to follow conversations in restaurants, at family gatherings, or in busy environments, this could indicate early hearing changes.

Our auditory system is naturally designed to filter out background noise but when that system becomes less effective, it’s harder to separate speech from noise. This is sometimes linked to hidden hearing loss, a condition where traditional hearing tests appear normal, but the neural connections between the inner ear and brain don't function effectively³.

‍

2. Do you hear ringing in my ears (tinnitus)?

Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears — can result from noise exposure, hearing loss, stress, or even earwax buildup. While short episodes aren't always a concern, persistent or worsening tinnitus may suggest damage to the auditory system^4,5.

Sudden onset or changes in tinnitus, such as pitch or intensity, should be evaluated by a hearing care professional right away to rule out any underlying cause.

‍

3. Has the TV volume slowly crept up?

You might not notice a gradual increase, but if others comment on how loud your TV is, or if you’ve found yourself reaching for the volume button more often, that’s a potential sign of hearing changes. Our brains adapt quickly, so subtle shifts often go unnoticed.

‍

4. Do you ask people to repeat themselves more often?

It’s perfectly normal to miss a word now and then, especially in a noisy or distracting environment. But if you find yourself frequently asking others to repeat themselves, especially in quiet settings, it could indicate a decline in hearing sensitivity or clarity. A baseline hearing evaluation can help determine whether there’s been a meaningful change.

‍

5. Do you avoid social gatherings because it's hard to hear?

This one’s easy to overlook. People often begin skipping events not because they don’t want to go, but because it’s exhausting or frustrating to try and follow conversations. Over time, this can lead to social withdrawal, increased feelings of isolation, and even greater health risks⁶.

"Keeping your auditory system healthy and engaged is crucial for long-term quality of life and general health."

Don't Wait to Get Help

Hearing loss doesn’t usually happen overnight. The signs are often subtle, but catching them early can make a big difference in how you feel, connect, and engage with the world around you.

If any of these questions resonate with you, now is a great time to get curious. Schedule a 25-minute exploratory consultation to ask questions, learn about your options, and get guidance that’s professional, honest, and pressure-free.

There’s no better time than the present and no downside to learning more about your hearing.

‍

References:

1. Hall JW 3rd. Development of the ear and hearing. J Perinatol. 2000 Dec;20(8 Pt 2):S12-20. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7200439.
2. Wright CG. Development of the human external ear. J Am Acad Audiol. 1997 Dec;8(6):379-82.
3. Liberman MC, Epstein MJ, Cleveland SS, Wang H, Maison SF. Toward a Differential Diagnosis of Hidden Hearing Loss in Humans. Malmierca MS, ed. PLOS ONE. 2016;11(9):e0162726. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162726
4. Baguley D, McFerran D, Hall D. Tinnitus. Lancet. 2013 Nov 9;382(9904):1600-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60142-7. Epub 2013 Jul 2.
5. Tang D, Li H, Chen L. Advances in Understanding, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Tinnitus. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1130:109-128. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-6123-4_7.
6. Timmer BHB, Bennett RJ, Montano R, Hickson L, Weinstein B, Wild J, Ferguson M, Holman JA, LeBeau V, & Dyre L. (2024). Social-emotional well-being and adult hearing loss: clinical recommendations, International Journal of Audiology, 63:6, 381-392, DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2190864