If you have noticed that it has become increasingly difficult for you to follow verbal conversations with other people, you may start to suspect that you may have a problem with your hearing. If so, take note if you are exhibiting any of the following communication problems that could indicate you are starting to lose your hearing.

1. Hearing Only Mumbling When Someone Speaks

If you are like a lot of people, you probably know someone who constantly mumbles whenever they talk, making it difficult to make out what they are trying to say unless they repeat themselves. However, if you notice that the majority of the people around you are mumbling, there is a good chance that the problem lies with your hearing instead of them.

When you start to lose your hearing, your ears may have difficulty differentiating between the slight inflections and tones of words while you are having a conversation. If you notice that a close friend or your spouse has suddenly started to sound muffled when they speak, there is a possibility that your ears are no longer able to pick up the sounds correctly.

2. Observing Body Language More Often

When you start to notice that everyone is suddenly mumbling words while speaking to you, you may also find that you cannot understand what they are saying unless you can visually see them, You may subconsciously start to pay more attention to the other person's body language and expressions. These visual context clues soon become vital to keeping up with and contributing to a conversation.

If your brain is unable to fully receive the auditory signals to keep up with the conversation, it may signal you to find other clues for understanding the context. These clues can then help the brain piece together what the other person is trying to say so that it can keep up with the conversation.

If it has become increasingly difficult to carry on a conversation with another person without looking at them, there is a good chance that you have some degree of hearing impairment. As time goes on, you may find yourself missing out on important pieces of information because of a mismatch in a person's words and body language.

If you notice any of the above problems while trying to verbally communicate with another person, you may be starting to lose your hearing. If you suspect this may be the case, make an appointment with your doctor to have your hearing checked and discuss the various treatments for hearing problems if a problem is discovered.