08/10/2026
If you find yourself saying “What?” more than you used to, you are not alone.
Many people notice it first with soft speech, phone calls, or when someone talks from another room. Consonants like s, f, and th can fade, so words sound mumbled even when the volume seems fine. Loved ones may feel like they are repeating themselves. You may feel tired after conversations that used to be easy.
A few gentle habits that help day to day:
• Face the person speaking and cut background noise when you can (pause the TV, step away from the dishwasher or fan).
• Ask people to rephrase instead of only repeating louder. Clearer wording often lands better than volume alone.
• Note when listening feels hardest: phone, group dinners, church, the car. Those details make a hearing evaluation more useful.
• Do not wait for a crisis moment. Small changes are worth checking early.
At South Jersey Hearing and Tinnitus in Bridgeton, Dr. Kelli Shivers-Beswick, Au.D., Audiologist, takes the time to explain what you are hearing and what it means for real life. Unhurried visits. The same audiologist every time. Care that feels personal because it is.
If conversations have started to feel like work, we would be glad to help you sort it out.
Call (856) 386-8150 or visit southjerseyhearingandtinnitus.com to schedule a visit.