Man carrying freshly harvested bananas on his back.

Bananas taste a lot different then they used to. There are rather different types of bananas being grown these days by banana farmers. Today’s banana can develop successfully in a wide variety of climates, are more resilient, and can develop faster. And they taste quite different. So why haven’t you detected the great banana swap? Well, the truth is that it happened slowly, over time. The change was so gradual you never noticed.

Hearing loss can happen in the same way. It’s not like you get up one day and can’t hear a thing. For the majority of individuals, hearing loss advances gradually, often so slowly that you don’t really realize what’s happening.

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 instance, you may take more safeguards to protect it. That’s why it may be important to watch for these seven signs your hearing might be waning.

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

Hearing loss isn’t always well grasped as it develops slowly over time. It isn’t like you’ll go to a loud rock concert and the next day find yourself totally incapable of hearing. Repetitive exposure to loud noise over a long period of time gradually leads to noticeable hearing loss. So keeping an eye on your hearing early will be the best way to safeguard it. Neglected hearing loss has been connected to an increased danger of issues including dementia, social isolation, and depression, so it’s not something you want to mess around with.

You should, uh, keep your ear to the ground for these seven indications that you may be developing hearing loss. The only way to know for sure is to get a hearing exam, but these signs may encourage you to make an appointment earlier than you otherwise would have.

Sign #1: You’re continually turning the volume up

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 begun to mumble. 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 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 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 could be missing:

  • Your doorbell (or a knock on the door): You thought your friend unexpectedly walked into your house but actually missed his knocks.
  • Alarms and timers: Did you sleep through your alarm clock? Did the dinner get burned? It might not be because your cook timer or alarm clock is too quiet.
  • Your phone: Text messages coming to you but you’re missing them? You’re more likely to miss text messages than calls since no one makes calls nowadays.

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’re continuously needing people to repeat what they said

Are your most commonly used words “what?” or “pardon?”? It’s likely that it’s an issue with your hearing that’s causing you to need people to repeat what they said when they talk to you. If people do repeat themselves and you still don’t hear them this is particularly true. Definitely, time to get a hearing assessment.

Sign #4: It sounds like everybody’s always mumbling

This one goes fairly well with #3 and we might even call it #3-A. If it sounds as if everyone around you is constantly mumbling or saying something under their breath, the reality is… well, they probably aren’t. It’s stressful to always think people are mumbling about you, so it might be a comfort to find out they’re actually not. Alternatively, it’s more likely that you’re just having a hard time hearing what they’re saying.

If you’re attempting to talk to someone in a noisy setting or with someone who has a high pitched voice this can be especially true.

Sign #5: Loved ones keep suggesting you have your hearing tested

You most likely have a pretty close relationship with your family and friends. It’s likely that at least some of them have fairly healthy hearing. If your members of your family (particularly younger) are telling you that something is wrong with your hearing, it’s a smart idea to listen to them (no pun intended).

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 heeding their advice could maintain the health of your hearing.

Sign #6: Your ears are ringing or you’re experiencing balance issues

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’re dealing with hearing loss:

  • Damage can trigger both: Both hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by damage. So the more damaged your hearing system is, the more likely you are to experience both hearing loss and tinnitus.
  • Hearing loss can make tinnitus more noticeable: Tinnitus can be drowned-out by everyday noises in your daily life. But as those everyday noises recede to the background (due to hearing loss), the tinnitus becomes relatively louder and significantly more noticeable.

Either way, if you’re experiencing loud ringing, or even dizziness and vertigo, it could be a sign that something is going on in your ears. This means it’s time to come see us for a hearing test.

Sign #7: Socializing leaves you feeling fatigued

Maybe you’ve always been an introvert at heart, and that’s why social settings have become totally exhausting. Or perhaps, and just hear us out here (again with the puns), your hearing isn’t what it used to be.

Your hearing might be the reason why you feel wiped out after leaving a restaurant or social affair. When there are interruptions in what you hear, your brain works overtime to fill in those holes. This additional effort by your brain can leave you feeling exhausted. So you may experience even more fatigue when you’re in an especially noisy setting.

Start by coming to see us

The truth is that we all experience some hearing damage in our lifetimes. If or when you develop hearing loss has a lot to do with 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 encounter any of these signs. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and give us a call for an appointment. The sooner your hearing loss is diagnosed, the sooner you’ll be able to get treatment.

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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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