Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few criteria are met, you can alter toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems, loud noises, genetics, 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 facing hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax accumulates. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. Your hearing will normally go back to normal after the infection is gone.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended period of time, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But wear the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. That’s why treatment is tremendously important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with individualized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional damage to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you wear hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.
