Otolaryngology Questions Hearing loss

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

There is a loud ringing sound in my ear sometimes, but it goes away after a minute. Could it be the first sign of damage? How would you know if you are losing your hearing?

2 Answers

Tinnitus can be a sign of hearing loss, but, its common to hear temporary tinnitus that resolves like youre describing. If the tinnitus doesnt resolve, then that is more cause for concern. Its never a bad idea to have a baseline hearing examination completed!
Symptoms might include having difficulty understanding the clarity of speech, especially in crowded environments. You may also hear ringing in your ears or muffled noises. Or you might recognize yourself occasionally turning up the volume when you listen to something, having trouble understanding what people are saying in noisy environments, and even reading lips from time to time.

Early treatment is best. It’s best to consult an Audiologist in person for this matter, which you can find one through the American Audiology Association (
https://memberportal.audiology.org/Directories/Find-an-Audiologist).