Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen overnight. Its earliest signs—an extra “What did you say?” here, a missed word there—are so subtle they may be easy to dismiss until everyday conversations feel much harder.
Although these signs may be minor at first, ignoring them can lead to longer-lasting impacts on health. “Research clearly shows that untreated hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline,” says Dr. William H. Shapiro, AuD, director of audiology and co-director of the Cochlear Implant Center at NYU Langone Health. “It can impact your social relationships and quality of life.”
As part of National Audiology Awareness Month, Dr. Shapiro shares five early signs of hearing loss you shouldn’t ignore—and why you should include regular hearing tests as part of a preventive healthcare plan.
Sign No. 1: It’s Harder to Hear in Restaurants
As hearing declines, noisy settings such as restaurants, group gatherings, or even family celebrations present extra challenges to hearing. Background noise common in group gatherings or busy public spaces competes with speech, making it hard to follow conversations clearly.
“It’s difficult for our auditory system to separate speech from noise,” Dr. Shapiro explains. “So when speech and background noise happen at once, even mild hearing loss becomes much more noticeable.”
