I have a non-stop ringing sound in my ears. Back in high school, people used to tell me my hearing was bad, but I mostly ignored them. Now, however, I’m noticing times where I genuinely can’t follow what people are saying to me, even during direct conversation. Working in a loud restaurant is becoming a struggle because I frequently get orders wrong after mishearing the customers. I’ve also started unintentionally avoiding social situations. I often don’t even notice when people call my name, which makes them think I’m being rude, but I honestly just don’t hear them. I don’t have health insurance, so going to a doctor for a hearing test doesn’t seem like an option. Does anyone have any tips for managing this?
You should get a hearing exam. If you’re experiencing both hearing loss and tinnitus, it could be Meniere’s disease or a related issue. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Meniere’s, though a low-sodium diet is typically recommended.
Have you tried applying for Medicaid? They provide insurance to individuals even if they have no income, and it would cover the cost of a hearing test and further medical guidance. I wouldn’t recommend ignoring hearing loss since it might be a sign of a more serious health concern. It’s likely nothing major, but it’s worth looking into since it’s already affecting your life this much. You can do this!