Earmuffs are often easier to put on and take off between noisy tasks. Earplugs are compact and can fit under equipment that would interfere with earmuffs. The better choice depends on how much protection the noise requires, how well the protector fits, and whether you can wear it for the full exposure. For a workshop … Read more
Hearing aids can make tinnitus less noticeable for some people who also have hearing loss. They amplify sounds around you, which can make speech easier to hear and leave the ringing less prominent. Some models also play background sounds you can adjust separately. If you’re considering hearing aids because of ringing, start with a hearing … Read more
If your hearing report says conductive, sensorineural, or mixed, it’s describing where the difficulty occurs along the hearing pathway. The type can help guide the next step, such as an ear examination, specialist assessment, or a discussion about hearing aids. Two people may both say that voices sound muffled and have different test findings. An … Read more
Start with one mark at one pitch. The number along the top or bottom tells you which pitch was tested. The number down the side tells you how loud the tone had to be for you to hear it. The symbol identifies the ear and the way the tone was delivered. Once you know how … Read more
You turn up the television a little more than you used to. At dinner, you can hear someone speaking but miss part of the question. On the phone, you ask the caller to repeat a name or number. Each incident is easy to shrug off. When they keep happening, a hearing assessment can help you … Read more
You can turn down your headphones, stand farther from a concert speaker, or put on earmuffs before starting a grinder. Each action reduces a different part of your noise exposure. Start by making the sound quieter where you can. When you can’t, increase your distance, limit your time near it, and wear suitable hearing protection. … Read more
If your hearing drops suddenly or gets noticeably worse over a few days, seek medical care immediately. This applies whether it affects one ear or both and whether or not you feel pain. If you cannot get an immediate medical assessment, go to an emergency department. You might notice the change when you answer your … Read more
Voices sound dull, your phone seems quieter in one ear, or it feels as though you’re listening through an earplug. People often call this muffled hearing. The first detail to pay attention to is how quickly it changed. If your hearing dropped suddenly or deteriorated quickly over a few days, seek medical care immediately. A … Read more
You might book a hearing test because conversations sound muffled, one ear seems quieter, or you keep asking people to repeat themselves at dinner. Bring one example of a conversation or sound you struggled to hear. It gives the audiologist something specific to connect to your results. An appointment typically starts with questions about your … Read more
You can hear your friend’s voice across the restaurant table, but you catch only half the sentence. Later, outside, the same person is easy to understand. That difference is worth mentioning if you get your hearing checked. “I hear people talking, but I miss their words when there’s background noise” describes the problem more clearly … Read more