Monday 26/January/2026 – 09:49 PM
Hearing loss is one of the health problems associated with aging, as statistics indicate that about 22% of people over the age of 65 suffer from difficulty hearing daily sounds, but Experts They stress that there are two common early signs that may appear before the problem gets worse, and they are often overlooked, according to the New York Post.
Two early signs of hearing loss that may go unnoticed
One of the most common early indicators of hearing loss is repeatedly asking others to repeat themselves, especially in public places, explained Dr. Rachel Aartsma, chief audiologist at hear.com.
She added that many people justify the matter by believing that those they are talking to are mumbling or not speaking clearly, without realizing that it is their hearing that is gradually beginning to change, which leads to delayed detection of the problem.
The second sign, according to Aartsma, is difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments such as restaurants or parties, even if hearing appears normal in quiet places. This is due to the impact of high-frequency sounds, such as the consonants S, F, and T, which are often the first to be damaged when hearing loss begins.
Experts have warned that untreated hearing loss not only affects the ability to communicate, but also forces the brain to exert additional effort to compensate for the lost sounds, which may lead to mental exhaustion, frustration, and social isolation.
Other symptoms may also appear, such as hearing muffled sounds, constantly raising the volume, tinnitus, and the importance of early intervention.
Artsma stressed that detecting hearing loss in its early stages contributes to improving the quality of communication and reduces cognitive pressure on the brain, which in the long term may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia.
She emphasized that early hearing screening and the use of assistive devices, such as hearing aids, can reduce the burden on the brain and restore the natural balance of sound processing.
