Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. That’s because modern banana farmers grow a very different type of banana then they used to. These new bananas grow faster, are more resilient, and can prosper in a wider range of climates. And they taste quite 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 the same way. It’s not like you get up one day and can’t hear a thing. For most individuals, hearing loss advances slowly, frequently so slowly that you don’t really recognize what’s taking place.
That’s regrettable because early treatment can help preserve your hearing. If you know that your hearing is at risk, for example, you may take more precautions to protect it. So it’s a good plan to be on the lookout for these seven signs of waning hearing.
7 signs you should get a hearing test
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly grasped as it happens slowly over time. It isn’t like you’ll be totally unable to hear the day after you went to that big rock concert. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) builds up over time. The sooner you deal with your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. Neglected hearing loss has been linked to a greater danger of issues such as dementia, social solitude, and depression, so it isn’t something you should mess around with.
You should, uh, watch out for these seven indications that you may be experiencing hearing loss. 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 the volume up
Do you find yourself constantly reaching for the volume controls? 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 cranking the volume up on your devices.
If others keep telling you the TV is too loud this is especially likely. They can usually recognize hearing issues in you sooner than you can.
Sign #2: You failed to hear the doorbell (or a phone call)
If you’re continually missing some everyday sounds, that could be a sign of issues with your ears. Here are a few common sounds you might be missing:
- Someone knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: You thought your friend just walked into your house but actually missed his knocks.
- Timers and alarms: Did you sleep through your alarm clock ringing? Did the dinner get burned? It might 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 these days.
If your family and friends have mentioned that they’re kind of afraid of driving with you because you miss so many day to day 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’re constantly 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. This is particularly relevant if people do repeat themselves and you still don’t hear what they say. Definitely, time to schedule a hearing test.
Sign #4: Is everybody starting to mumble?
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go rather well together. If it sounds like everybody around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the reality is… well, they likely aren’t. It’s stressful to always feel like people are mumbling about you, so it might be a comfort to learn they’re actually not. The truth is that you’re just not hearing them due to your hearing loss.
This can be especially noticeable if you’re attempting to listen to somebody who has a higher pitched voice, or if you have to have a conversation in a loud space, like a restaurant.
Sign #5: Family members prompt you to get a hearing exam (or invest in hearing aids)
You most likely have a pretty close relationship with your family and friends. And some of them probably have healthy hearing. If your members of your family (particularly younger) are informing you that something is wrong with your hearing, it’s a smart idea to listen to them (no pun intended).
We get 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 maintain the health of your hearing.
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 known as tinnitus. It’s really common. When you’re dealing with hearing loss, your tinnitus can become extreme for a couple of reasons:
- Damage can cause both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of 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 those everyday noises recede to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes relatively louder and considerably more noticeable.
In either case, if you’re experiencing loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be a sign that something is going on in your ears. And that means (no shock here), yes, you should come see us for an exam.
Sign #7: You feel tired after social engagement
Perhaps you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social situations have become completely exhausting. Or it might be possible that you’re not hearing as clearly as you used to.
Your hearing may be the cause when you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social event. Your brain is attempting to fill in the gaps that you can’t hear. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So you may experience even more exhaustion when you’re in a particularly noisy setting.
The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment
Honestly, hearing damage is common to everybody to some degree. 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 experienced any of these signs, it’s a sign 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.