Bananas taste much 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 develop faster, are more resilient, and can prosper in a wider range of climates. And they taste quite different. So how did this swap take place without us noticing? Well, the change wasn’t a rapid one. The change was so gradual you never noticed.
The same thing can take place with your ears and hearing loss. It’s not like you wake up one day and can’t hear a thing. In most circumstances of hearing loss, it goes undetected because it advances so slowly.
Early treatment can really help maintain your hearing so that’s an unfortunate truth. If you are aware that your hearing is in danger, for instance, you may take more precautions to protect it. That’s why it might be worthwhile to watch for these seven indications your hearing might be waning.
7 indications you should get a hearing test
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. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to protect it. Neglected hearing loss has been linked to a greater danger of issues like dementia, social isolation, and depression, so it’s not something you should mess about with.
You should, uh, keep your ear to the ground for these seven indications that you may be developing hearing loss. The only way to know for certain is to get a hearing assessment, but these indicators might encourage you to make an appointment earlier than you otherwise would have.
Sign #1: You keep cranking up the volume on your devices
Are you continually turning up the volume on your devices? Maybe they’re mixing the audio on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite actors have started to mumble. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by cranking the volume up on your devices.
This is particularly the case if your family has also constantly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They will frequently notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Sign #2: You failed to hear the doorbell (or a phone call)
It could be a sign that you’re having hearing issues if you are continuously missing day to day sounds. Here are a few common sounds you might be missing:
- Someone knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: When your good friend unexpectedly 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 ringing? Did the dinner get overcooked? It may not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is not loud enough.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? You’re more likely to miss text messages than calls since no one makes calls nowadays.
You’re missing essential sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your family and friends are becoming scared to drive with you.
Sign #3: You’re constantly asking people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most regularly 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 what they said and you still don’t hear them this is particularly true. Seems like a hearing test is in order.
Sign #4: It sounds like everybody’s always mumbling
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go pretty well together. If it sounds as if everyone around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the reality is… well, they likely aren’t. That may be a relief (it’s no fun to be surrounded by people who you think are mumbling things about you). The reality is that you’re just not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
If you’re trying to talk to somebody in a noisy setting or with someone who has a high pitched voice this can be especially true.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep recommending you get your hearing checked
You probably have a rather close relationship with your friends and family. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. It’s a good plan to pay attention to your family members (especially the younger ones) if they are telling you something is going on with your hearing.
We get that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this advice away. Maybe you feel like they just caught you on a bad day or something. But you could give your hearing an advantage by taking their advice.
Sign #6: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance issues
When you’re experiencing ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with a condition called tinnitus. It’s not at all uncommon. When you’re dealing with hearing loss, your tinnitus can become profound for a couple of reasons:
- Both can be triggered by damage: Damage causes both tinnitus and hearing loss. So you’re more likely to experience tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
- Tinnitus is more noticeable when you have hearing loss: 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 going on in your ears. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing assessment.
Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling depleted
Perhaps the reason why social situations have become so exhausting is because you’ve always been an introvert. Or maybe, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it once was.
Your hearing could be the reason why you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social event. When there are gaps in what you hear, your brain tries overtime to fill in those holes. This additional effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So when you’re in especially strenuous situations (like a noisy space), you may experience even more exhaustion.
The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment
Honestly, hearing damage is common to everybody to some level. Exactly how much (and how often you were wearing hearing protection) may have a big impact on when you develop hearing loss, or if you develop hearing loss at all.
So it might be an indication that the banana is changing if you encounter any of these signs. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and contact us for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to get treatment.
