If you have trouble following conversations in a noisy room, or are always asking people to repeat themselves, you may have some degree of hearing loss. You’re not alone: Hearing loss affects more than 48 million people in the U.S., according to the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Not surprisingly, hearing loss often increases with age. Years of exposure to loud sounds — like your favorite concerts and the firecrackers you popped on New Year’s Eve — can permanently damage the delicate hair cells within the inner ear (cochlea). While you can’t undo the damage that’s already been done, hearing loss is not inevitable.

Know the symptoms

More than half of seniors over 65 have some degree of hearing loss. Because it happens gradually, most people don’t realize they’re having trouble hearing.

Turning up the TV volume or asking people to repeat themselves are signs that you might be losing your hearing, but often symptoms are subtler.

You may have trouble with phone conversations because the voice on the other line seems muffled. A group conversation in a noisy restaurant can be hard to follow. You might even hear ringing or hissing in your ears.

If these symptoms sound familiar, speak to your physician or hearing specialist. They may recommend a hearing test.

Check your hearing

Most people get their eyes and teeth checked every year, but few have routine hearing tests. If you’ve never had a hearing test, it’s a good idea to get one, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

A hearing test will measure your ability to hear sounds and speech at different pitches and volumes and will indicate hearing loss and its severity. Regular checkups can track your hearing over time and help you protect it.

Healthy hearing protection

Examine your lifestyle and take note of the noises you’re exposed to each day. Some occupations such as construction work or manufacturing jobs expose workers to damaging levels of noise. Use hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs when around loud noises.

Bring your earplugs along to concerts, fireworks shows and other events with loud noises. Even occasional situations like these can have a lasting impact on your hearing health.

If you like to listen to music or podcasts, don’t turn the volume up too high. Use noise-canceling headphones, which block outside noise and make it easier for you to hear.

Treat your hearing loss

You wouldn’t deny yourself the ability to see by not wearing glasses, so don’t feel ashamed of seeking treatment for your hearing loss.

Hearing aid technology has evolved and many styles are so small that they’re virtually unnoticeable, while offering a comfortable, secure fit. Some are even able to connect to your mobile phone or music player.

Untreated hearing loss can lead many people to feel isolated because they can’t follow conversations as easily as they used to. Using a device to restore hearing ability can drastically improve quality of life and enable you to fully engage with the world around you.

Dr. Mandy Santos is an audiologist at Kaiser Permanente Wailuku Medical Office on Maui.