Connect again and stay in touch.

You ask friends and family to repeat themselves. You feel aggravated by noisy places, or it seems people are always mumbling.

You feel tense about speaking to others.

Friends or family have become exasperated by how often you ask them to repeat what they have said.

You pull away. You feel less confident having conversations. You get left out or become alone, even in a group. You choose to distance yourself in social settings or exit the dinner table early.

You’ve lost independence and do not speak for yourself. Others answer questions on your behalf or explain what was asked.

You’ve withdrawn from the things you once enjoyed.

Communicating is too hard. You’re invited to join less often because others think you are less interested.

You don’t feel sure. You question if you understand important information correctly when discussed at work, school, on the phone or in appointments.