Bananas taste a lot different then they used to. That’s because today’s banana farmers grow an exceptionally different variety of banana then they used to. These new bananas sprout faster, are more robust, and can thrive in a wider variety of climates. And they taste quite different. So why haven’t you noticed the great banana exchange? Well, the change wasn’t a fast one. The change was so slow you never noticed.
The same thing can occur with your ears and hearing loss. It’s not like all of a sudden your hearing is entirely gone. For most individuals, hearing loss progresses slowly, often so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s happening.
That’s unfortunate because early intervention can help preserve your hearing. You can take measures to safeguard your hearing if you’re aware that it’s in danger. That’s why it might be important to watch for these seven indications your hearing might be waning.
You should get your hearing evaluated if you experience any of these 7 signs
Hearing loss isn’t always well grasped as it develops slowly over time. It isn’t like you’ll be completely unable to hear the day after you went to that big rock show. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) increases over time. The earlier you treat your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. Untreated hearing loss has been connected to an increased risk of issues including dementia, social isolation, and depression, so it isn’t something you should mess around with.
You should, uh, watch out for these seven indications that you might be experiencing hearing loss. The only way to know for sure is to get a hearing exam, but these indicators might encourage you to make an appointment earlier than you normally would have.
Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices
Are you constantly turning up the volume on your devices? Perhaps they’re mixing the audio on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite artists have started to mumble. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by turning the volume up on your devices.
This is particularly the situation if your family has also constantly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They can usually spot hearing issues in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You didn’t hear the phone ringing (or the doorbell)
It could be a sign that you’re having hearing issues if you are continuously missing day to day sounds. Some of the most common noises you might miss include:
- Your doorbell (or someone knocking on the door): You thought your friend unexpectedly walked into your house but actually missed his knocks.
- Alarms and timers: Did you sleep through your alarm clock ringing? Did the dinner get burned? It may not be your alarm’s fault.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? No one makes phone calls nowadays, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.
If your family and friends have stated that they’re kind of afraid of driving with you because you miss so many everyday sounds (from honking horns to the beeping of a truck backing up), that could be a sign that it’s time for a hearing exam.
Sign #3: You keep needing people to repeat what they said
Are your most frequently used words “what?” or “pardon?”? If you’re always 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). This is especially true if people do repeat what they said and you still can’t hear what they say. Probably, time to get a hearing test.
Sign #4: It sounds like everybody’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 relief to find out they’re actually not. Alternatively, it’s more likely that you’re just having a hard time hearing what they’re saying.
This can be especially pronounced if you’re attempting to listen to somebody who has a higher pitched voice, or if you need to have a conversation in a noisy space, like a restaurant.
Sign #5: Family members prompt you to take a hearing test (or get hearing aids)
Your family and friends most likely know you quite well. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. It’s a smart plan to listen to your family members (especially 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. Maybe you think they just caught you on a bad day or something. But you could give your hearing an advantage by taking 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 really common. There are a couple of reasons why you might experience more ringing in your ears when you have hearing loss:
- Both can be caused by damage: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be brought on 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 daily life. But as those everyday noises fade to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes comparatively louder and significantly more noticeable.
Either way, if you’re going through loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be an indication that something is going on in your ears. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing assessment.
Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling fatigued
Perhaps 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 once did.
Your hearing might be the cause when you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social affair. When there are gaps in what you hear, your brain tries overtime to fill in those gaps. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling depleted. So you might experience even more fatigue when you’re in a particularly noisy setting.
Begin by coming to see us
Honestly, hearing damage is common to everybody to some degree. Just how much (and how often you were wearing hearing protection) might have a huge impact on when you develop hearing loss, or if you develop hearing loss in the first place.
So it might be an indication that the banana is changing if you experience any of these signs. Happily, you can take matters into your own hands and give us a call for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to get treatment.