Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. There are very different varieties of bananas being cultivated these days by banana farmers. These new bananas sprout faster, are more resilient, and can thrive in a wider variety of climates. They don’t taste the same either. So how did this change take place without us detecting it? Well, the reality is that it developed slowly, over time. You never noticed the gradual switch.
Hearing loss can happen in a similar way. It’s not like all of a sudden your hearing is totally gone. For the majority of people, hearing loss develops gradually, often so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s taking place.
That’s unfortunate because early intervention can help preserve your hearing. If you know that your hearing is at risk, for instance, you may take more safeguards to protect it. That’s why it may be significant to watch for these seven indications your hearing could be waning.
7 signs you should get a hearing test
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly understood as it develops gradually over time. It isn’t like you’ll go to a noisy rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely incapable of hearing. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) increases over time. The earlier you deal with your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. Untreated hearing loss has been connected to an increased risk of problems such as dementia, social isolation, and depression, so it’s not something you should mess around with.
These seven signs are what you should be watching out for. A hearing test is the only way to know, but maybe these warning signs will prompt you to take some early action.
Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices
Are you constantly cranking up the volume on your devices? Sure, possibly it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have started mumbling, or that the sound mixing on TV shows is dramatically 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.
If others keep telling you the volume is too loud this is particularly likely. They will often observe your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Sign #2: You missed the doorbell (or a phone call)
It could be a sign that you’re having hearing issues if you are continuously missing everyday sounds. A few of the most common noises you may miss include:
- Your doorbell (or a knock on the door): When your best friend abruptly walks into your house, consider the possibility that they did actually knock, you simply missed it.
- Alarms and timers: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get overcooked? It may not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is too quiet.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? You’re more likely to miss text messages than phone calls since nobody makes calls these days.
If your family and friends have stated that they’re a little afraid of driving with you because you miss so many common sounds (from honking horns to the beeping of a truck backing up), that could be an indication that it’s time for a hearing test.
Sign #3: You’re continuously needing people to repeat themselves
Are your most frequently used words “what?” or “pardon?”? If you’re always needing 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 particularly true if people do repeat what they said and you still don’t hear what they say. Most likely, time to get a hearing test.
Sign #4: Is everyone starting to mumble?
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go pretty well together. If it sounds like everybody around you is constantly mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they probably aren’t. It’s stressful to always think people are mumbling about you, so it may be a comfort to find out they’re actually not. The reality is that you’re just not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
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 loud space, such as a restaurant.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep suggesting you get your hearing checked
Your family and friends most likely know you pretty well. It’s likely that at least some of them have fairly healthy hearing. If your family members (especially younger) are telling you that something isn’t right 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 advice. Possibly you tell yourself it was just a bad day or whatever. But heeding 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 called tinnitus. It’s incredibly common. When you’re dealing with hearing loss, your tinnitus can become extreme for a couple of reasons:
- Both can be caused by damage: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by damage. So you’re more likely to experience tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
- Hearing loss can make tinnitus more obvious: In your typical day-to-day life, tinnitus can be overwhelmed 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 experiencing issues with your ears, either way, if you have loud noises in your ears or balance issues and vertigo. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing assessment.
Sign #7: You feel tired after social engagement
Maybe you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social settings have become totally exhausting. Or perhaps, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it once was.
Your hearing could 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 works really hard to fill in those gaps. This is fatiguing (no matter how good your brain is), especially over the long run. So you may experience even more fatigue when you’re in an especially noisy setting.
The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment
The truth is that we all encounter some hearing damage in our lifetimes. Just how much (and how often you were using hearing protection) might have a huge impact on when you develop hearing loss, or if you develop hearing loss at all.
So if you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s an indication that the banana is changing. Happily, you can take matters into your own hands and give us a call for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is diagnosed, the sooner you’ll be able to receive treatment.
