FAQs Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Places

I have been having difficulty hearing conversations in crowded rooms like restaurants and church, but I hear fine at home. Is there anything that can help me in these situations?

Difficulty hearing in noisy places is usually an early symptom of hearing loss. This symptom may be noticeable before other problems arise. This is often associated with tinnitus or ringing in the ears. In the early stages of hearing loss, patients often are able to hear adequately in quiet rooms or in one-on-one conversations, like on the phone. It is a complex process for the ears to filter out background noise, especially when it approaches the same volume as the speaker’s voice, so this may be one of the first noticeable symptoms. While there are many causes of hearing loss, the most common cause is age-related hearing loss called presbycusis. While hearing aids help in this situation, there is no technology currently that eliminates the background noise completely. There are many assistive devices that can be used to aid individuals struggling with background noise. A hearing specialist such as an Otolaryngologist or an Audiologist is specially trained to help work through these options to get the best hearing possible.

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