Hearing loss is so gradual that you may not notice the decline. So, you need to know what to look for in yourself, your partner, friends, and family. The symptoms below alert you when to suspect hearing loss, or if you just misheard someone.

We All Mishear Sometimes

Have you ever gone to a loud concert, party, or club and left with ringing ears or muffled hearing? This is a temporary form of sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing returns, but the noise exposure often causes permanent damage. Between the sounds of the city and increased earbud and headphone use, noise exposure is higher than ever. As a result, noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise across all demographics. So, take a proactive approach and know what to look for.

The 3 Types of Hearing Loss

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

This diagnosis occurs when sound is not properly conducted in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear. If the cause of your decreased hearing is temporary, hearing can be restored. For example, ear infections, earwax build-up, and swimmer’s ear can cause conductive hearing loss, but are typically easy to treat. 

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This diagnosis involves the inner ear. It is the most common type of hearing loss caused by a combination of noise exposure and the natural aging process. Inner ear damage cannot be reversed, but the earlier you begin treatment, the greater the likelihood of slowing its progression. 

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

If your audiologist identifies damage or malfunction to both the inner ear and the outer or middle ear, the diagnosis is mixed. Your conductive symptoms may be temporary, but your sensorineural symptoms are permanent.

Words That Are Harder to Distinguish with Declining Hearing

Eggcorns are common signs of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Eggcorns refer to any time you hear, read, or speak a word that is similar, but different, than the word spoken or read. Everyone occasionally hears or reads words incorrectly. Especially when rushed, distracted, or the person you are speaking to is speaking fast. 

If you hear:

• “Cold slaw” instead of “coleslaw”
• “Doggie-dog world” instead of “dog-eat-dog world”
• “Eggcorn instead of “acorn” 
• “Escape goat” instead of “scapegoat”
• “Lack toast and tolerant” instead of “lactose intolerant”
• “Nipped it in the but” instead of “nipped it in the bud”
• “Pacific” instead of “specific”
• “Scotch free” instead of “scot-free” 

Speech Patterns That Are Harder to Hear with Declining Hearing 

It is natural to think that the person speaking is not annunciating their words or projecting their voice, but it could be your hearing. Most eggcorns that occur with declined hearing involve words with “s,” “f,” “sh,” “th,”, “b”, “s”, and “d”. More so for sounds and speech that are soft or high-frequency. 

Even if you can follow along, constantly translating what is said from what you hear is frustrating. If you hear eggcorns frequently and with multiple people, schedule an appointment for a hearing evaluation. 

Especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms below:

• You must turn the volume up on TV and electronic devices higher than before. 

• You cannot hear well on the phone or when video conferencing without earbuds. 
• You find yourself increasingly frustrated and mentally exhausted during conversations. 
• You feel like everyone is mumbling, speaking too quietly, or speaking too fast. 
• You need to ask most people you speak with to repeat themselves. 

Sound Frequencies That Are Hard to Hear with Declining Hearing

If you can hear some people with clarity, but not others, you may have lost high-frequency sound processing. You may also notice that songs with high-pitched notes no longer sound the same, or they sound like something is missing. 

This is most noticeable when listening to:

• Children under the age of 7
• Adults with high-pitched voices 
• Chirping birds 
• Instrumental music

How Hearing Aids Help?

Treatment with hearing aids is prescribed for mild to moderate sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. Modern hearing aids do more than turn up the volume, they improve clarity and communication with any combination of the features below.

• Restore or amplify the sound frequencies you have lost or struggle to hear. 
• Filter out background noise to improve conversations in public settings. 
• Use directional microphones to identify and amplify what you are listening to.
• Recognize, remember, and amplify those you engage with frequently.  
• Stream your phone, TV, music, and other audio directly into your device. 
• Have a smartphone app to tailor sound settings to daily environments.   
• Provide a range of smart features and customizable settings.

Don’t Ignore Changes to Your Hearing or Auditory Health

If you live in or around Holmdel, New Jersey or Staten Island, New York and are experiencing any of the signs of hearing loss above—schedule an appointment with Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro will complete a comprehensive hearing evaluation and tailor your treatment plan to support your lifestyle and improve your quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Loss

1. How can I tell if my hearing loss is temporary or permanent?

Temporary hearing loss often happens due to earwax buildup, ear infections, or exposure to loud sounds—like after a concert or noisy event. In these cases, your hearing usually returns once the underlying issue is treated. Permanent hearing loss, however, is typically caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and does not recover on its own. If you’re unsure, a hearing evaluation with an audiologist can identify the cause and guide you toward the right treatment.

2. When should I schedule a hearing test?

If you frequently ask people to repeat themselves, turn up the TV volume higher than others prefer, or feel conversations are muffled, it’s time for a hearing test. Even mild symptoms or early signs of hearing decline can benefit from early diagnosis—especially since hearing loss often worsens gradually.

3. Can hearing aids really make a difference with mild hearing loss?

Yes. Today’s hearing aids are far more advanced than older models. They don’t just make sounds louder—they improve speech clarity, filter background noise, and automatically adjust to different listening environments. Early use of hearing aids can help preserve communication skills and even slow hearing decline over time.

4. What are the first signs of high-frequency hearing loss?

People with high-frequency hearing loss often struggle to understand children’s voices, birds chirping, or words with soft consonants like “s,” “f,” and “sh.” Music may sound incomplete, and conversations—especially in noisy places—can become harder to follow. These are early warning signs that warrant a professional hearing assessment.

5. What happens during a hearing evaluation with Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro?

During your appointment, Dr. Shapiro will review your symptoms, examine your ears, and perform painless hearing tests to measure your hearing at different frequencies. Based on your results, she’ll explain your diagnosis and recommend personalized treatment options—whether that’s ear cleaning, medical treatment, or prescription hearing aids designed for your lifestyle.