Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. There are very different varieties of bananas being grown these days by banana farmers. Today’s banana can grow successfully 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 take place without us noticing? Well, the truth is that it happened slowly, through the years. The change was so gradual you never noticed.
Hearing loss can occur in the same way. It isn’t like you get up one day and can’t hear a thing. For most individuals, hearing loss progresses gradually, frequently so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s happening.
Early treatment can really help maintain your hearing so that’s a regrettable truth. You can take measures to protect your hearing if you recognize that it’s in danger. That’s why it may be worthwhile to watch for these seven signs your hearing could be waning.
You should have your hearing evaluated if you experience any of these 7 signs
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly grasped as it happens slowly over time. It’s not like you’ll go to a noisy rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely unable to hear. Recurring exposure to loud sound over a long period of time gradually results in noticeable hearing loss. The sooner you treat your hearing loss, the better off you’ll be. You don’t want to put off on this because neglected hearing loss has been linked to issues such as social separation, depression, and dementia.
You should, uh, keep your ear to the ground for these seven signs that you may be developing hearing loss. 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’re continually turning up the volume
Do you find yourself continuously reaching for the volume controls? Maybe they’re mixing the sound on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite actors have started to mumble. But it’s also possible (if not probable) that you’re hearing is gradually degrading, and that you’re increasing the volume of your favorite TV show or music to compensate.
This is especially the situation if your family has also regularly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They will frequently observe your hearing loss before you notice it.
Sign #2: You failed to hear the doorbell (or a phone call)
If you’re regularly missing some everyday sounds, that might be an indication of issues with your ears. Some of the most ordinary noises you may miss include:
- Somebody knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell: You thought your friend just walked into your house but you in fact missed him knocking.
- Timers and alarms: Did you burn dinner or sleep or sleep through 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 anymore, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.
You’re missing important sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your friends and family are becoming scared to drive with you.
Sign #3: You keep asking people to repeat what they said
Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most regularly used words? 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 relevant if people do repeat themselves and you still can’t hear what they’re saying. Definitely, time to schedule a hearing assessment.
Sign #4: Is everyone starting to mumble?
This one goes fairly well with #3 and we might even call it #3-A. If it sounds like everybody around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they probably aren’t. It’s stressful to always feel like people are mumbling about you, so it may be a relief to find out they’re actually not. Alternatively, 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 have to have a conversation in a loud space, like a restaurant.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep suggesting you have your hearing checked
You most likely have a pretty close relationship with your friends and family. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. It’s a good plan to pay attention to your family members (especially the younger ones) if they are telling you something is going on with your hearing.
We understand that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this recommendation away. Perhaps you feel like they just caught you on a bad day or something. But heeding their advice could preserve the health of your hearing.
Sign #6: You hear ringing in your ears (or experience vertigo)
Ringing in your ears is a condition called tinnitus. It’s incredibly common. When you have hearing loss, your tinnitus can become severe for a couple of reasons:
- Both can be caused by damage: 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 noticeable: Tinnitus can be drowned-out by everyday noises in your day-to-day life. But as those everyday noises fade to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes comparatively louder and considerably more noticeable.
In either case, if you’re experiencing loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be an indication that something is going on in your ears. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing assessment.
Sign #7: You feel fatigued after social interactions
Perhaps the reason why social interactions have become so tiring is because you’ve always been an introvert. 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 exhausted, your hearing (or lack thereof) may be the cause. When there are interruptions in what you hear, your brain tries overtime to fill in those gaps. This is exhausting (no matter how good your brain is), particularly over the long run. So you might experience even more exhaustion when you’re in a particularly noisy setting.
The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment
The truth is that we all experience some hearing damage in our lifetimes. If or when you develop hearing loss is heavily dependent on how well you protect your ears when you’re subjected to loud noise.
So it might be an indication that the banana is changing if you experience any of these signs. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and contact us for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is identified, the sooner you’ll be able to receive treatment.
