Something about your hearing has changed, and you are trying to figure out what is going on. Maybe conversations in restaurants have become exhausting. Maybe voices sound muffled even though you can tell someone is talking. Maybe there is a ringing in your ears that was not there before.
These experiences are more common than you might think, and they almost always have an explanation. Below, we walk through the most frequent hearing-related symptoms our patients describe when they first come to see us at Pinnacle Audiology. Each guide explains what might be causing the problem, when you should see an audiologist, and what testing involves.
Common Hearing Symptoms
Why Do I Have Trouble Hearing in Noise?
You can hear fine in quiet rooms, but restaurants, parties, and busy streets are a struggle. This is often the earliest sign of hearing loss — and one of the most frustrating.
Why Do Voices Sound Muffled?
People seem to be mumbling, or their voices sound like they are coming through a wall. This can result from earwax, fluid in the middle ear, or sensorineural hearing loss.
Why Do I Hear Ringing in My Ears?
A persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming that no one else can hear. Tinnitus affects millions of Americans and has many possible causes.
Why Do I Need People to Repeat Themselves?
Constantly saying “what?” or “can you say that again?” is one of the most common reasons people come to see us — and often the first sign that a hearing evaluation is overdue.
Why Do I Hear but Not Understand?
You can tell someone is speaking, but the words do not come through clearly. This disconnect between hearing and understanding is a hallmark of high-frequency hearing loss.
Not sure what is going on with your hearing? A comprehensive hearing evaluation can give you answers. Most new patients are seen within the same week. Call (646) 436-7590 or learn what to expect from a hearing evaluation.