Bananas taste a lot different then they used to. That’s because modern banana farmers grow an exceptionally different type of banana then they used to. Today’s banana can develop successfully in a large number of climates, are more robust, and can sprout faster. And they taste quite different. So why haven’t you noticed the great banana exchange? Well, the change wasn’t a fast one. You never noticed the gradual switch.
Hearing loss can happen in the same way. It’s not like you wake up one day and can’t hear anything. In most circumstances of hearing loss, it goes undetected because it advances so slowly.
Early treatment can really help preserve your hearing so that’s a regrettable truth. If you are aware that your hearing is in danger, for example, you might take more safeguards to protect it. That’s why it might be important to watch for these seven indications your hearing could be waning.
You should have your hearing tested if you exhibit any of these 7 signs
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly understood as it develops gradually over time. It’s not as if you’ll go to a noisy rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely incapable of hearing. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) increases over time. So monitoring your hearing early will be the best way to protect it. Neglected hearing loss has been connected to an increased danger of problems like dementia, social solitude, and depression, so it’s not something you should mess about with.
These seven signs are what you should be paying attention to out for. A hearing exam is the only way to know, but maybe these warning signs will motivate you to take some early action.
Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices
Do you find yourself constantly reaching for the volume controls? Sure, maybe it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have begun to mumble, or that the sound mixing on TV shows is dramatically different than it was before. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by cranking the volume up on your devices.
This is especially the case if your family has also constantly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They can usually notice hearing issues in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You missed the doorbell (or a phone call)
If you’re continuously missing some day to day sounds, that could be an indication of issues with your ears. A few of the most ordinary sounds you might miss include:
- Somebody knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: When your best friend unexpectedly walks into your house, consider the possibility that they did actually knock, you simply missed it.
- Timers and alarms: Did you burn dinner or sleep or sleep through your alarm clock? It may not be your alarm’s fault.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? Nobody makes phone calls anymore, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.
You’re missing essential sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your friends and family are becoming scared to drive with you.
Sign #3: You keep needing people to repeat what they said
Are your most frequently used words “what?” or “pardon?”? It’s likely that it’s an issue with your hearing that’s causing you to need people to repeat what they said when they talk to you. This is particularly relevant if people do repeat what they said and you still can’t hear what they’re saying. Seems like a hearing test is needed.
Sign #4: It sounds as if everyone’s always mumbling
You could also call this sign #3-A, since they go rather well together. If it sounds as if everyone around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they probably aren’t. It’s stressful to always feel like people are mumbling about you, so it may be a relief to learn they’re actually not. The truth is that you’re just not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
If you’re attempting to talk to somebody in a noisy setting or with someone who has a high pitched voice this can be particularly true.
Sign #5: Family members encourage you to get a hearing exam (or get hearing aids)
You probably have a pretty close relationship with your family and friends. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. It’s a smart plan to listen to your family members (particularly the younger ones) if they are telling you something’s up with your hearing.
We understand that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this advice away. Perhaps you tell yourself it was just a bad day or whatever. But taking their advice could protect the health of your hearing.
Sign #6: You hear ringing in your ears (or experience vertigo)
When you have ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with a condition known as tinnitus. It’s not at all unusual. When you have hearing loss, your tinnitus can become severe for a couple of reasons:
- Damage can trigger both: Damage triggers both tinnitus and hearing loss. So the more damaged your hearing system is, the more likely you are to develop both hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Hearing loss can make tinnitus more noticeable: Tinnitus can be drowned-out by everyday noises in your day-to-day life. But as hearing loss makes those background sounds quieter, tinnitus symptoms come to the front.
Either way, if you’re going through loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be an indication that something is happening in your ears. And that means (no surprise here), yes, you need to come see us for a hearing test.
Sign #7: You feel fatigued after social engagement
Perhaps the reason why social situations have become so tiring is because you’ve always been an introvert. Or it may be possible that you’re not hearing as clearly as you used to.
Your hearing might be the reason why you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social affair. When there are interruptions in what you hear, your brain works overtime to fill in those holes. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling depleted. So when you’re in particularly strenuous situations (such as a noisy space), you might experience even more fatigue.
The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment
The truth is that we all experience some hearing damage during our lives. If or when you develop hearing loss has a lot to do with how well you safeguard your ears when you’re subjected to loud noise.
So if you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s a sign that the banana is changing. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it: come in and get tested! You’ll be able to get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.
