Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. That’s because today’s banana farmers grow a very different type of banana then they did in the past. These new bananas grow faster, are more robust, and can prosper in a wider variety of climates. And they taste very different. So why haven’t you detected the great banana exchange? Well, the change wasn’t a quick one. You never noticed the gradual change.
Hearing loss can occur in a similar way. It isn’t like all of a sudden your hearing is completely gone. For the majority of individuals, hearing loss progresses gradually, frequently so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s taking place.
That’s regrettable because early intervention can help preserve your hearing. If you know that your hearing is at risk, for instance, you might take more safeguards to protect it. That’s why it might be significant to watch for these seven indications your hearing might be waning.
You should have your hearing tested if you notice any of these 7 signs
Hearing loss develops gradually and over time, but it isn’t always well understood. It’s not like you’ll go to a noisy rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely unable to hear. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) builds up over time. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to protect it. You shouldn’t put off on this because untreated hearing loss has been connected to problems such as social isolation, depression, and dementia.
These seven indicators are what you should be paying attention to out for. The only way to know for sure is to get a hearing assessment, but these signs might encourage you to make an appointment earlier than you otherwise would have.
Sign #1: You’re constantly cranking up the volume
Are you continually cranking up the volume on your devices? Sure, possibly it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have started mumbling, or that the sound mixing on TV shows is drastically different than it was before. But it’s also possible (if not likely) that you’re hearing is gradually going, and that you’re increasing the volume of your favorite TV show or music to compensate.
This is especially the situation if your family has also regularly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They can often notice hearing issues in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You missed the doorbell (or a phone call)
If you’re constantly missing some everyday sounds, that could be a sign of trouble with your ears. Here are a few common sounds you might be missing:
- Your doorbell (or someone knocking on the door): You thought your friend unexpectedly walked into your house but actually missed him knocking.
- Timers and alarms: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get overcooked? It might not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is too quiet.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you missed them? You’re more likely to miss text messages than phone calls since no one makes calls these days.
You’re missing crucial sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your friends and family are becoming afraid to drive with you.
Sign #3: You keep asking people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most frequently used words? It’s likely that it’s a problem with your hearing that’s causing you to need people to repeat themselves when they’re talking with you. If people do repeat themselves and you still fail to hear them this is particularly true. Probably, time to schedule a hearing exam.
Sign #4: It sounds as if everyone’s always mumbling
This one goes pretty well with #3 and we might even call it #3-A. If it sounds like everyone around you is constantly mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they probably aren’t. That might be a comfort (it’s no fun to be surrounded by people who you think are mumbling stuff about you). The reality is that you’re just not hearing them due to 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 relevant.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep suggesting you have your hearing tested
You most likely have a rather close relationship with your family and friends. And some of them most likely have healthy hearing. If your family members (particularly younger) are telling you that something is wrong with your hearing, it’s a good plan 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 taking their advice could preserve the health of your hearing.
Sign #6: You hear ringing in your ears (or experience vertigo)
Ringing in your ears is a condition called tinnitus. It’s not at all uncommon. There are a couple of reasons why you may experience more ringing in your ears when you have hearing loss:
- Damage can trigger both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by damage. So you’re more likely to develop tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
- Hearing loss can make tinnitus more pronounced: 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.
It could be an indication that you’re dealing with issues with your ears, either way, if you have loud noises in your ears or balance issues and vertigo. And that means (no surprise here), yes, you should come see us for a hearing test.
Sign #7: You feel exhausted after social interactions
Maybe the reason why social interactions have become so exhausting is because you’ve always been an introvert. Or it might be possible that you’re not hearing as clearly as you used to.
Your hearing could be the cause when you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social affair. Your brain is attempting to fill in the gaps that you can’t hear. This is fatiguing (no matter how good your brain is), particularly over the long run. So you might experience even more fatigue when you’re in an especially noisy setting.
Start by coming to see us
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 protect your ears when you’re exposed to loud sound.
So if you’ve encountered any of these signs, it’s a sign that the banana is changing. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and give us a call for an appointment. You’ll be able to get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.