Bananas don’t taste like they once did. That’s because modern banana farmers grow a really different type of banana then they used to. These new bananas grow faster, are more robust, and can thrive in a wider range of climates. They don’t taste the same either. So how did this change occur without us noticing? Well, the change wasn’t a fast one. You never noticed the gradual switch.
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 the majority of people, hearing loss advances gradually, often so slowly that you don’t really recognize what’s taking place.
Early treatment can really help maintain your hearing so that’s a regrettable truth. If you are aware that your hearing is in danger, for example, you might 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 signs you should get a hearing test
Hearing loss isn’t always thoroughly understood as it develops slowly over time. It’s not like you’ll go to a loud rock concert and the next day find yourself totally unable to hear. Repeated exposure to loud noise over a long period of time slowly produces recognizable hearing loss. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to safeguard it. You don’t want to put off on this because untreated hearing loss has been linked to problems such as social isolation, depression, and dementia.
You should, uh, keep your ear to the ground for these seven indications that you may be experiencing hearing loss. A hearing exam is the only way to be sure, but maybe these warning signs will prompt you to take some early action.
Sign #1: You’re continually turning the volume up
Do you find yourself constantly reaching for the volume controls? Maybe they’re mixing the audio on your favorite shows differently now, or your favorite actors have started to mumble. 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 TV is too high this is especially 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 day to day sounds. Here are a few common sounds you may be missing:
- Somebody knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell: You thought your friend just walked into your house but you in fact missed him knocking.
- Alarms and timers: Did you sleep through your alarm clock ringing? Did the dinner get burned? It may not be your alarm’s fault.
- Your phone: Are you missing text messages? Nobody makes phone calls anymore, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a call.
You’re missing essential sounds while driving, like honking horns or trucks beeping while backing up, and your family and friends are becoming scared to drive with you.
Sign #3: You’re continuously needing people to repeat themselves
Are your most frequently used words “what?” or “pardon?”? If you’re regularly asking people to repeat what they said, 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’re saying. Looks like a hearing test is needed.
Sign #4: Is everybody starting to mumble?
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 talking under their breath, the truth is… well, they likely aren’t. It’s stressful to always feel like people are mumbling about you, so it might be a comfort to learn they’re actually not. The reality is that you’re simply not hearing them because of your loss of hearing.
If you’re attempting to talk to somebody in a noisy setting or with someone who has a high pitched voice this can be particularly true.
Sign #5: Loved ones keep recommending you get your hearing checked
Your friends and family probably know you pretty well. It’s likely that at least some of them have pretty healthy hearing. If your members of your family (especially younger) are telling you that something isn’t right with your hearing, it’s a good idea to listen to them (no pun intended).
It’s understandable that you would want to rationalize away this proposal. Perhaps you tell yourself it was just a bad day or whatever. But heeding their advice could preserve the health of your hearing.
Sign #6: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance problems
When you have ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with a condition known as tinnitus. It’s really common. There are a couple of reasons why you might experience more ringing in your ears when you have hearing loss:
- Damage can cause both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by 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 ordinary day-to-day life, tinnitus can be overpowered by the everyday noises you encounter. But as hearing loss makes those background sounds quieter, tinnitus symptoms come to the front.
It could be an indication that you’re experiencing issues with your ears, either way, if you have loud noises in your ears or balance issues and vertigo. And that means (no surprise here), yes, you need to come see us for a hearing test.
Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling fatigued
Maybe the reason why social situations have become so exhausting is because you’ve always been an introvert. Or it might be possible that you’re not hearing as clearly as you used to.
When you leave a restaurant or a social affair 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 additional effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So when you’re in particularly strenuous situations (such as a noisy space), you may experience even more exhaustion.
The first step is calling us for an appointment
The truth is that we all experience some hearing damage during our lives. Exactly how much (and how frequently you were wearing hearing protection) may have a huge affect 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 a sign that the banana is changing. Thankfully, there’s something you can do about it: come in and get tested! The sooner your hearing loss is diagnosed, the sooner you’ll be able to get treatment.