Bananas taste a lot different then they used to. That’s because today’s banana farmers grow a really different variety of banana then they did in the past. These new bananas develop faster, are more resilient, and can prosper in a wider variety of climates. They don’t taste the same either. So why haven’t you noticed the great banana swap? Well, the change wasn’t a quick one. The change was so slow you never noticed.
Hearing loss can occur in a similar way. It isn’t like you wake up one day and can’t hear anything. In most circumstances of hearing loss, it goes unnoticed because it progresses so slowly.
That’s unfortunate because early intervention can help preserve your hearing. If you are aware that your hearing is in danger, for instance, you may take more precautions to protect it. So it’s a good plan to keep an eye out for these seven signs of diminishing hearing.
You should have your hearing tested if you exhibit any of these 7 indicators
Hearing loss takes place gradually and over time, but it’s not always well grasped. It’s not like you’ll be totally incapable of hearing the day after you went to that big rock show. Repeated exposure to loud noise over a long period of time slowly produces recognizable hearing loss. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to safeguard it. Neglected hearing loss has been linked to a greater risk of problems like dementia, social solitude, and depression, so it isn’t something you should mess around with.
These seven signs are what you should be watching out for. The only way to know for certain is to get a hearing test, but these indicators may encourage you to schedule an appointment earlier than you normally would have.
Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices
Are you continually turning up the volume on your devices? Sure, maybe it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have started mumbling, or that the audio mixing on TV shows is drastically different than it used to be. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by turning 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 recognize hearing trouble in you sooner than you can.
Sign #2: You failed to hear the doorbell (or a phone call)
If you’re constantly missing some everyday sounds, that may be an indication of issues with your ears. Here are a few common sounds you might be missing:
- Somebody knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: When your best friend suddenly walks into your house, consider the possibility that they did in fact knock, you simply missed it.
- Alarms and timers: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get burned? It might not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is not loud enough.
- Your phone: Are you failing to get text messages? No one calls nowadays, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.
You’re missing important sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your family and friends are becoming afraid to drive with you.
Sign #3: You keep needing people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most frequently used words? If you’re constantly asking people to repeat themselves, it’s very, very possible it isn’t because of them, it’s because of you (and your hearing). This is especially relevant if people do repeat themselves and you still don’t hear what they say. Looks like a hearing test is in order.
Sign #4: It sounds as if everyone’s always mumbling
This one goes pretty well with #3 and we may even call it #3-A. You should recognize that people probably aren’t mumbling or talking about you under their breath even if your hearing loss is making it seem like this. It’s stressful to always think people are mumbling about you, so it might be a comfort to find out they’re actually not. The reality is that you’re simply not hearing them due to 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 particularly relevant.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep recommending you have your hearing tested
Your friends and family most likely know you quite well. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. If your family members (especially younger) are informing you that something is wrong with your hearing, it’s a smart plan to listen to them (no pun intended).
It’s understandable that you would want to rationalize away this proposal. Perhaps you feel like they just caught you on a bad day or something. But taking their advice could preserve the health of your hearing.
Sign #6: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance problems
When you have ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with a condition known as tinnitus. It isn’t at all unusual. There are a couple of reasons why you might experience more ringing in your ears when you have hearing loss:
- Both can be triggered by damage: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be brought on by damage. So you’re more likely to experience tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
- Tinnitus is more pronounced when you have hearing loss: In your normal day-to-day life, tinnitus can be overpowered by the everyday noises you experience. But as hearing loss makes those background sounds quieter, tinnitus symptoms come to the front.
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 situations have grown completely exhausting. Or perhaps, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it used to be.
When you leave a restaurant or a social event feeling completely exhausted, your hearing (or lack thereof) might be the reason why. When there are interruptions in what you hear, your brain tries overtime to fill in those gaps. This is exhausting (no matter how good your brain is), particularly over the long run. So when you’re in particularly strenuous situations (like a noisy space), you might experience even more exhaustion.
Begin by coming to see us
The truth is that we all encounter some hearing damage in our lifetimes. If or when you develop hearing loss has a lot to do with how well you safeguard your ears when you’re exposed to loud noise.
So if you’ve encountered any of these signs, it’s an indication that the banana is changing. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and call us for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to receive treatment.