Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. That’s because modern banana farmers grow a really different variety of banana then they used to. Today’s banana can grow successfully in a wide variety of climates, are more resilient, and can grow faster. They don’t taste the same either. So why haven’t you detected the great banana swap? Well, the change wasn’t a rapid one. You never noticed the gradual change.
Hearing loss can occur in a similar way. It’s not like suddenly your hearing is totally gone. In most cases of hearing loss, it goes unobserved because it progresses so slowly.
That’s unfortunate because early intervention can help preserve your hearing. You can take steps to safeguard your hearing if you recognize that it’s in danger. That’s why it may be important to watch for these seven signs your hearing could be waning.
You should get your hearing tested if you exhibit any of these 7 indicators
Hearing loss happens slowly and over time, but it isn’t always well understood. It’s not like you’ll be totally incapable of hearing the day after you went to that big rock concert. Recurring exposure to loud noise over a long period of time slowly produces noticeable hearing loss. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to protect it. You shouldn’t put off on this because neglected hearing loss has been linked to issues 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 exam, but these indicators might encourage you to schedule an appointment earlier than you normally would have.
Sign #1: You’re continually turning the volume up
Do you find yourself frequently reaching for the volume controls? Perhaps they’re mixing the sound on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite artists have begun to mumble. But it’s also possible (if not probable) that you’re hearing is gradually going, and that you’re raising 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 usually notice hearing issues in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You didn’t hear the phone ringing (or the doorbell)
It could be an indication that you’re having hearing trouble if you are constantly missing day to day sounds. Here are some common sounds you might be missing:
- Your doorbell (or someone knocking on the door): You thought your friend just walked into your house but you in fact missed him knocking.
- Timers and alarms: Did you overcook dinner or sleep or sleep through the ringing of your alarm clock? It might not be your alarm’s fault.
- 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.
If your loved ones have stated that they’re a little scared of driving with you because you’re missing so many common sounds (from honking horns to the beeping of a truck backing up), that could be a sign that it’s time for a hearing test.
Sign #3: You’re continuously asking people to repeat themselves
Are your most commonly used words “what?” or “pardon?”? If you’re regularly asking people to repeat themselves, it’s very, very possible it’s not because of them, it’s because of you (and your hearing). This is especially relevant if people do repeat themselves and you still can’t hear what they say. Definitely, time to get a hearing exam.
Sign #4: Is everyone starting to mumble?
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 saying something under their breath, the truth is… well, they probably aren’t. It’s stressful to always think people are mumbling about you, so it might be a relief to find out they’re actually not. The reality is that you’re simply not hearing them because of your hearing loss.
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 relevant.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep recommending you get your hearing tested
You probably have a pretty close relationship with your family and friends. And some of them probably have healthy hearing. It’s a good idea to listen to your family members (especially the younger ones) if they are telling you something’s up with your hearing.
It’s understandable that you would want to rationalize away this advice. 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: 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 isn’t at all unusual. When you have hearing loss, your tinnitus can become profound for a couple of reasons:
- Damage can cause both: 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 noticeable: Tinnitus can be drowned-out by everyday noises in your day-to-day life. But as those everyday noises fade to the background (due to hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes comparatively louder and significantly more noticeable.
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. And that means (no surprise here), yes, you should come see us for a hearing test.
Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling fatigued
Perhaps the reason why social interactions have become so tiring is because you’ve always been an introvert. Or it might be possible that you’re not hearing as clearly as you once did.
When you leave a restaurant or a social event feeling completely exhausted, your hearing (or lack thereof) might be the cause. Your brain is trying to fill in the holes that you can’t hear. This is fatiguing (no matter how good your brain is), particularly over the long run. So when you’re in especially strenuous situations (like 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 encounter some hearing damage during our lives. If or when you develop hearing loss is heavily dependent on how well you protect 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 give us a call for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to get treatment.