Hearing loss is usually a gradual process. Most frequently it starts in the higher pitches, this is where a lot of our consonant sound are (f, s, sh, t, th). This causes it to sound like people are mumbling because you lose the distinction between words. Women and children's voices may be especially difficult to understand. It is not uncommon for those around us to notice the hearing loss before we do. Remember a hearing loss is more noticeable than any hearing aid would be.

It might be time to consult a hearing care specialist if you are experiencing one or more of the following problems:

· People seem to be mumbling
· You have to strain to hear when someone talks or whispers
· You have difficulty hearing someone call from behind or from another room
· You need to watch a speaker's lips more closely to follow conversation
· Following a conversation is difficult when you're in a group of people, for example at a meeting, at church, or during lectures
· You have to turn up the volume on the TV or radio
· You have problems hearing clearly on the telephone
· You have difficulty hearing at the theatre, cinema, or other entertainment venues
· It's hard to hear in noisy environments, for example in a restaurant or in a car
· You have begun to limit your social activities due to difficulty hearing and communicating
· Family, friends, or colleagues mention that they often have to repeat themselves

The sooner you address a hearing problem, the sooner you can get back to your life.