Bananas taste much different then they used to. There are extremely different varieties of bananas being grown these days by banana farmers. These new bananas grow faster, are more robust, and can thrive in a wider variety of climates. And they taste very different. So why haven’t you detected the great banana swap? Well, the reality is that it happened slowly, over time. The change was so slow you never noticed.
The same thing can happen with your ears and hearing loss. It isn’t like all of a sudden your hearing is totally gone. For most individuals, hearing loss advances slowly, often so slowly that you don’t really recognize what’s taking place.
Early treatment can really help maintain your hearing so that’s an unfortunate truth. If you know that your hearing is in danger, for instance, you may take more safeguards to protect it. So it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for these seven signs of diminishing hearing.
You should get your hearing tested if you exhibit any of these 7 signs
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly understood as it happens slowly over time. It isn’t as if you’ll be totally incapable of hearing the day after you went to that big rock show. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) builds up over time. 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 problems like social separation, depression, and dementia.
These seven signs are what you should be watching out for. The only way to know for certain is to get a hearing test, but these indicators might encourage you to schedule an appointment earlier than you normally would have.
Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices
Do you find yourself constantly reaching for the volume controls? Sure, maybe it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have begun to mumble, or that the audio mixing on TV shows is drastically different than it used to be. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by cranking the volume up on your devices.
This is especially the situation if your family has also constantly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They will often detect your hearing loss before you notice it.
Sign #2: You missed the doorbell (or a phone call)
It could be an indication that you’re having hearing trouble if you are constantly missing everyday sounds. Some of the most ordinary sounds you may miss include:
- Somebody knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell: When your good friend suddenly walks into your house, consider the possibility that they did actually knock, you simply missed it.
- Timers and alarms: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get burned? It may not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is not loud enough.
- Your phone: Are you missing text messages? You’re more likely to miss text messages than calls since no one makes calls these days.
You’re missing crucial sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your friends and family are becoming afraid to drive with you.
Sign #3: You keep asking people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most commonly used words? If you’re regularly asking people to repeat themselves, it’s very, very possible it isn’t because of them, it’s because of you (and your hearing). If people do repeat themselves and you still can’t hear them this is especially true. Definitely, time to get a hearing assessment.
Sign #4: Is everyone starting to mumble?
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go rather well together. If it sounds like 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 individuals who you think are mumbling things about you). Instead, it’s more likely that you’re simply having a hard time hearing what they’re saying.
This can be particularly 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 have 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. 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.
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 heeding their advice.
Sign #6: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance problems
Ringing in your ears is a condition known as tinnitus. It isn’t at all uncommon. There are a couple of reasons why you might experience more ringing in your ears when you’re dealing with hearing loss:
- Both can be caused by damage: 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.
- Tinnitus is more pronounced when you have hearing loss: In your typical day-to-day life, tinnitus can be overpowered by the everyday noises you encounter. But as those everyday noises recede to the background (due to hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes relatively louder and considerably more noticeable.
Either way, if you’re experiencing loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be a sign that something is happening in your ears. And that means (no shock here), yes, you should come see us for an exam.
Sign #7: You feel exhausted after social interactions
Maybe you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social situations have become totally exhausting. Or perhaps, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it once was.
When you leave a restaurant or a social event feeling utterly depleted, your hearing (or lack thereof) could be the reason why. When there are interruptions in what you hear, your brain tries really hard to fill in those gaps. This additional effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So when you’re in particularly challenging situations (such as a noisy space), you may experience even more exhaustion.
Begin by coming to see us
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 if you’ve encountered any of these signs, it’s a sign that the banana is changing. Thankfully, there’s something you can do about it: come in and get tested! You’ll be able to get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.