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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > General Health Questions > Hearing checked?
    Posted on: 09/09/2011

    Question

    I have been having trouble hearing people sometimes, and sometimes it sounds like mumbling, but the people aren't actually mumbling. Also, when in a place with lots of background noises, like in the school lunch room, I most of the time can't hear what others are saying to me in this situation. Also, I can hear the TV when it's on but not working, and has that high pitched ringing sound to it, I can hear this clearly, yet I still have trouble with hearing and understanding people sometimes. Also, I tend to talk too loudly without realizing, unless people tell me. Also, I have trouble pronouncing my Rs & would usually pronounce them as Ws. I've been doing this ever since I was little. I went to Speech Therapy from half way through 1st Grade through 7th Grade, so I've gotten much better, but after 3 or 4 years of not being in speech therapy, I've gotten a bit worse again. When people hear me speak for the first time, they think I have a British or Australian accent but I don't. Another problem I have is my ears always feel plugged. My hearing seems to fluctuate over time between good and bad. I also have a problem where I hear a sound and have trouble guessing where it came from, like how I usually get the guess completely backwards. If I hear a sound infront of me, I sometimes think the sound is coming from behind me, when it's actually not. Sometimes, I have fluid leaking out of my ears. Sometimes, my ears hurt from pressure. Also, when I go swimming if I go to deep I get dizzy, light headed, and my ears burn. My dad has a hearing problem, and he didn't start talking until he was 3 years old. My grandma on my dad's is also starting to lose her hearing. Oh yeah, and I almost 17 years old. Does anyone know what this problem is, or if I should get my hearing checked? Sorry for this long of a post. Please answer back!

    Answer

    You should see your doctor to have your hearing checked. Speech can be affected by hearing loss, but can also be something separate. Hearing loss can be caused by many things, and is often correctable.


    Answered By:
    Kelly Ann Troiano , M.D.


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