Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. That’s because modern banana farmers grow a really different type of banana then they used to. Today’s banana can grow easily in a large number 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 truth is that it developed slowly, through the years. The change was so gradual you never noticed.
The same thing can occur with your ears and hearing loss. It isn’t like all of a sudden 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 maintain your hearing. You can take measures to protect your hearing if you recognize that it’s at risk. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for these seven signs of diminishing hearing.
7 indications you should get a hearing test
Hearing loss develops gradually and over time, but it isn’t always well grasped. It isn’t like 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) increases over time. The earlier you treat your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. You don’t want to put off on this because untreated hearing loss has been linked to issues like social separation, depression, and dementia.
These seven indicators are what you should be watching out for. The only way to know for sure is to get a hearing assessment, but these indicators might encourage you to schedule an appointment earlier than you normally would have.
Sign #1: You keep cranking up the volume on your devices
Are you constantly turning up the volume on your devices? Maybe they’re mixing the audio on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite actors 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.
If others keep telling you the TV is too loud this is particularly likely. They will frequently notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Sign #2: You didn’t hear your phone ringing (or the doorbell)
If you’re constantly missing some everyday sounds, that could be a sign of trouble with your ears. A few of the most ordinary sounds you might miss include:
- Someone knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: You thought your friend unexpectedly walked into your house but actually missed his knocks.
- Timers and alarms: Did you burn dinner or sleep or sleep through the ringing of your alarm clock? 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? No one calls nowadays, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.
If your loved ones have mentioned that they’re kind of scared of driving with you because you’re missing so many everyday 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 keep needing people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most commonly used words? If you’re always asking people to repeat themselves, it’s very, very possible it’s not because of them, it’s because of you (and your hearing). If people do repeat themselves and you still don’t hear them this is particularly true. Seems like a hearing test is in order.
Sign #4: Is everybody starting to mumble?
You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go pretty well together. If it sounds like 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 comfort to learn they’re actually not. Instead, it’s more likely that you’re simply having a difficult time hearing what they’re saying.
This can be particularly pronounced if you’re attempting to listen to someone who has a higher pitched voice, or if you need to have a conversation in a loud space, such as a restaurant.
Sign #5: Family members encourage you to get a hearing test (or invest in hearing aids)
Your family and friends probably know you quite well. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. If your members of your family (particularly younger) are informing you that something isn’t right with your hearing, it’s a smart plan to listen to them (no pun intended).
We get that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this recommendation away. Maybe you think they just caught you on a bad day or something. But you could do your hearing a favor by taking their advice.
Sign #6: You hear ringing in your ears (or experience vertigo)
Ringing in your ears is a condition known as tinnitus. It isn’t at all uncommon. There are a couple of reasons why you may experience more ringing in your ears when you have hearing loss:
- Damage can cause both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be brought on by damage. So the more damaged your hearing system is, the more likely you are to suffer from both hearing loss and tinnitus.
- 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 those everyday noises recede to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes comparatively louder and significantly more noticeable.
In either case, if you’re experiencing loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be an indication that something is happening in your ears. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing test.
Sign #7: You feel fatigued after social interactions
Maybe you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social settings have become totally exhausting. Or maybe, 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 totally drained, your hearing (or lack thereof) might be the reason why. Your brain is trying to fill in the holes that you can’t hear. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So when you’re in especially challenging situations (like a noisy space), you might experience even more exhaustion.
Begin by coming to see us
Honestly, hearing damage is normal to everybody to some level. Exactly how much (and how frequently you were using hearing protection) might have a big impact on when you develop hearing loss, or if you develop hearing loss in the first place.
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 diagnosed, the sooner you’ll be able to receive treatment.
