Man carrying freshly harvested bananas on his back.

Bananas taste much different then they did in the past. There are rather different varieties of bananas being grown today by banana farmers. These new bananas sprout faster, are more robust, and can thrive in a wider range of climates. And they taste very different. So why haven’t you noticed the great banana exchange? Well, the change wasn’t a fast one. You never noticed the gradual change.

Hearing loss can happen in the same way. It isn’t like you get up one day and can’t hear a thing. For most individuals, hearing loss develops slowly, frequently so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s taking place.

Early treatment can really help preserve your hearing so that’s a regrettable truth. You can take steps to protect your hearing if you’re aware that it’s in danger. That’s why it might be significant to watch for these seven signs your hearing could be waning.

You should get your hearing evaluated if you notice any of these 7 signs

Hearing loss occurs slowly and over time, but it’s not always well grasped. It’s not as if you’ll go to a noisy rock concert and the next day find yourself entirely unable to hear. Repetitive exposure to loud noise over a long period of time slowly leads to recognizable hearing loss. So monitoring your hearing early will be the best way to safeguard it. You shouldn’t put off on this because untreated hearing loss has been linked to issues like social isolation, depression, and dementia.

These seven indicators are what you should be paying attention to out for. A hearing test is the only way to know, but maybe these warning signs will motivate you to take some early action.

Sign #1: You keep turning up the volume on your devices

Are you continually turning up the volume on your devices? Sure, possibly it’s just that all of your favorite actors and artists have started mumbling, or that the audio mixing on TV shows is dramatically different than it was before. But it’s more likely that you’re compensating for your increasing hearing loss by cranking the volume up on your devices.

This is particularly the case if your family has also constantly been telling you that the TV is too loud. They will frequently detect your hearing loss before you become aware of it.

Sign #2: You failed to hear your phone ringing (or the doorbell)

It could be an indication that you’re having hearing problems if you are continuously missing everyday sounds. Some of the most ordinary sounds you might miss include:

  • Someone knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell: You thought your friend just walked into your house but actually missed him knocking.
  • Alarms and timers: Did you burn dinner or sleep or sleep through the ringing of your alarm clock? It may not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is too quiet.
  • Your phone: Are you missing text messages? No one calls nowadays, so you’re more likely to miss a text message than a phone call.

If your family and friends have mentioned that they’re kind of afraid of driving with you because you’re missing so many day to day sounds (from honking horns to the beeping of a truck in reverse), that could be a sign that it’s time for a hearing test.

Sign #3: You keep needing people to repeat what they said

Is “What?” or “Pardon?” your most frequently used words? If you’re always needing 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 particularly relevant. Looks like a hearing test is needed.

Sign #4: It sounds as if everybody’s always mumbling

You could also call this sign #3-A, because they go rather well together. If it sounds like everybody around you is continuously mumbling or talking under their breath, the truth 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 stuff about you). Alternatively, it’s more likely that you’re simply having a difficult time hearing what they’re saying.

This can be especially 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: Family members encourage you to get a hearing assessment (or get hearing aids)

You most likely have a rather close relationship with your family and friends. And some of them most likely have healthy hearing. It’s a good plan to listen to your family members (particularly the younger ones) if they are telling you something’s up with your hearing.

We get that it’s all too easy to sort of rationalize this recommendation away. Perhaps 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: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance issues

When you’re experiencing ringing in your ears, you’re dealing with 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 trigger both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be brought on by damage. So you’re more likely to experience tinnitus and hearing loss the more damaged your hearing is.
  • Tinnitus is more noticeable when you have hearing loss: In your typical day-to-day life, tinnitus can be overpowered by the everyday noises you experience. But as those everyday noises recede to the background (as a result of hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes relatively louder and considerably more noticeable.

In either case, if you’re going through 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 engagement

Maybe you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social settings have grown completely draining. Or it may be possible that you’re not hearing as well as you used to.

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 holes that you can’t hear. This extra effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So you might experience even more exhaustion when you’re in an especially noisy setting.

The first step is getting in touch with us for an appointment

Honestly, hearing damage is common to everybody to some degree. If or when you develop hearing loss has a lot to do with how well you protect your ears when you’re exposed to loud sound.

So if you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s a sign that the banana is changing. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it: come in and get tested! You’ll be able to get treatment as soon as you get diagnosed.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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