Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. That’s because today’s banana farmers grow an exceptionally different variety of banana then they used to. Today’s banana can grow easily in a wide variety of climates, are more robust, and can sprout faster. They don’t taste the same either. So how did this change happen without us noticing? Well, the change wasn’t a quick one. You never noticed the gradual change.
Hearing loss can occur in a similar way. It’s not like you wake up one day and can’t hear anything. For most people, hearing loss advances gradually, often so slowly that you don’t really recognize what’s taking place.
Early treatment can really help preserve your hearing so that’s a regrettable truth. If you are aware that your hearing is at risk, for example, you may take more precautions to protect it. So it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for these seven signs of diminishing hearing.
7 indications you should get a hearing assessment
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly grasped as it develops gradually over time. It isn’t like you’ll go to a loud rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely unable to hear. Damage to your hearing (from that rock concert and other loud noises) increases over time. The sooner you deal with your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a greater danger of problems including dementia, social isolation, and depression, so it isn’t something you should mess around with.
You should, uh, keep your ear to the ground for these seven indications that you might be experiencing hearing loss. The only way to know for certain 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 keep turning up the volume on your devices
Do you find yourself continuously reaching for the volume controls? Sure, possibly it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have begun to mumble, or that the sound 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 turning the volume up on your devices.
This is especially the case if your family has also regularly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They can often notice hearing issues in you faster than you can.
Sign #2: You didn’t hear the phone ringing (or the doorbell)
It could be a sign that you’re having hearing problems if you are continuously missing everyday sounds. Here are some common sounds you could be missing:
- Someone knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell: When your best friend abruptly walks into your house, consider the possibility that they did in fact knock, you simply missed it.
- Timers and alarms: Did you sleep through your alarm clock ringing? Did the dinner get overcooked? It might not be your alarm’s fault.
- Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? You’re more likely to miss text messages than calls since nobody makes calls nowadays.
If your loved ones have mentioned 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 exam.
Sign #3: You’re always needing people to repeat themselves
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 talk to you. If people do repeat themselves and you still can’t hear them this is particularly relevant. Probably, time to get a hearing test.
Sign #4: It sounds as if everybody’s always mumbling
This one goes pretty well with #3 and we might even call it #3-A. If it sounds like everybody around you is continuously mumbling or saying something under their breath, the reality is… well, they likely aren’t. That might be a comfort (it’s no fun to be surrounded by individuals who you think are mumbling stuff about you). The reality is that you’re just not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
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 true.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep recommending you have your hearing tested
Your family and friends probably know you quite well. And some of them most likely have healthy hearing. It’s a smart plan to pay attention to your family members (particularly the younger ones) if they are telling you something’s up with your hearing.
It’s easy to understand that you would want to rationalize away this proposal. Possibly you tell yourself it was just a bad day or whatever. But taking their advice could protect 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 extremely common. When you’re dealing with hearing loss, your tinnitus can become severe for a couple of reasons:
- Damage can trigger both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of 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 overpowered by the everyday noises you encounter. But as those everyday noises fade to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes relatively louder and significantly more noticeable.
It could be a sign that you’re experiencing problems 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 situations have become totally exhausting. Or maybe, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it once was.
Your hearing might be the cause when you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social event. Your brain is trying to fill in the gaps that you can’t hear. 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
Honestly, hearing damage is normal to everybody to some level. If or when you develop hearing loss has a lot to do with how well you safeguard your ears when you’re exposed to loud noise.
So it might be an indication that the banana is changing if you encounter any of these signs. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and give us a call for an appointment. You’ll be able to get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.