Bananas taste a lot different then they did in the past. That’s because today’s banana farmers grow a very different variety of banana then they did in the past. These new bananas sprout faster, are more robust, and can prosper in a wider range of climates. And they taste very different. So why haven’t you noticed the great banana exchange? Well, the change wasn’t a rapid one. You never noticed the gradual switch.
The same thing can happen with your ears and hearing loss. It isn’t like all of a sudden your hearing is totally gone. For the majority of people, hearing loss progresses gradually, often so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s happening.
That’s regrettable because early treatment can help preserve your hearing. You can take measures to safeguard your hearing if you’re aware that it’s in danger. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for these seven signs of waning hearing.
You should get your hearing tested if you experience any of these 7 indicators
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly understood as it develops gradually over time. It’s not like you’ll be completely incapable of hearing the day after you went to that big rock concert. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) increases over time. The earlier you deal with your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. You shouldn’t put off on this because neglected hearing loss has been connected to problems such as social isolation, depression, and dementia.
These seven indicators are what you should be watching out for. A hearing exam is the only way to know, but perhaps these warning signs will motivate you to take some early action.
Sign #1: You keep cranking up the volume on your devices
Are you continually turning up the volume on your devices? Perhaps they’re mixing the audio on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite artists have begun to mumble. But it’s also possible (if not probable) that you’re hearing is gradually degrading, and that you’re increasing the volume of your favorite TV show or music to compensate.
This is particularly the case if your family has also regularly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They can usually notice hearing trouble in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You failed to hear the phone ringing (or the doorbell)
If you’re constantly missing some everyday sounds, that might be an indication of issues with your ears. Here are some common sounds you might be missing:
- Someone knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: When your good friend unexpectedly walks into your house, take into account the possibility that they did in fact knock, you simply missed it.
- Timers and alarms: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get overcooked? It might not be your alarm’s fault.
- Your phone: Are you failing to get text messages? You’re more likely to miss text messages than calls since no one makes calls these days.
If your loved ones have mentioned that they’re a little afraid of driving with you because you miss so many day to day sounds (from honking horns to the beeping of a truck in reverse), that could be an indication that it’s time for a hearing test.
Sign #3: You keep needing people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most commonly used words? If you’re constantly asking people to repeat what they said, it’s very, very possible it’s not because of them, it’s because of you (and your hearing). If people do repeat what they said and you still fail to hear them this is particularly true. Definitely, time to get a hearing assessment.
Sign #4: Is everyone starting to mumble?
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go rather well together. If it sounds as if everybody around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they likely aren’t. That may be a comfort (it’s no fun to be surrounded by individuals who you think are mumbling stuff about you). The truth is that you’re simply not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
If you’re trying to talk to someone in a noisy setting or with someone who has a high pitched voice this can be especially relevant.
Sign #5: Family members encourage you to get a hearing test (or invest in hearing aids)
Your friends and family probably know you quite well. It’s likely that at least some of them have fairly healthy hearing. If your members of your family (particularly younger) are telling you that something isn’t right with your hearing, it’s a smart idea to listen to them (no pun intended).
We understand that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this advice away. Possibly you tell yourself it was just a bad day or whatever. But you could do your hearing a favor by heeding their advice.
Sign #6: You hear ringing in your ears (or experience vertigo)
When you’re experiencing ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with a condition called tinnitus. It’s not at all uncommon. When you have hearing loss, your tinnitus can become extreme for a couple of reasons:
- Both can be triggered by damage: Damage causes both tinnitus and hearing loss. So you’re more likely to develop tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
- Tinnitus is more obvious when you have hearing loss: Tinnitus can be drowned-out by everyday noises in your day-to-day life. But as those everyday noises fade to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes comparatively louder and considerably more noticeable.
It could be a sign that you’re dealing with issues with your ears, either way, if you have loud noises in your ears or balance problems and vertigo. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing assessment.
Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling fatigued
Perhaps you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social settings have become totally exhausting. Or maybe, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it once was.
When you leave a restaurant or a social affair feeling utterly drained, your hearing (or lack thereof) may be the cause. Your brain is attempting to fill in the gaps that you can’t hear. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So you might experience even more exhaustion when you’re in an especially noisy setting.
The first step is calling us for an appointment
The truth is that we all encounter some hearing damage during our lives. If or when you develop hearing loss is heavily dependent on how well you protect your ears when you’re subjected to loud noise.
So it might be an indication that the banana is changing if you encounter any of these signs. Thankfully, there’s something you can do about it: come in and get evaluated! The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to receive treatment.
