Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your hearing and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you likely were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal when the infection is gone.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. As a result, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This could make you think that your hearing is going.
If you find earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be avoided
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. As you can tell, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some useful ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to music. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can make use of an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a loud environment, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But wear the required hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress gradually. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. Only if you come in and see us can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
In most instances, hearing loss develops gradually over an extended time period. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against additional damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
In the long run, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further harm to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.