Autumn brings in its own compelling sounds you don’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching under your feet, and children laughing and playing. Now imagine how much less enjoyable your fall experience will be if those sounds start to fade away.
Fortunately, your autumn experience doesn’t need to be compromised because many of the causes of hearing loss can be avoided by taking some basic protective steps. By taking hands-on steps to protect your hearing, you can ensure you don’t miss the sound of this fall’s magic.
Protect your ears from noise
Loud noises are one of the most prevalent causes of both temporary and permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss can start to occur when you’re exposed to noises louder than 85 decibels (dB) leading to damage to the sensitive structures of the inner ear.
What are prevalent sources of harmful noise?
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
- Sirens: 120 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
Periodically attending a loud event can cause hearing loss that is typically temporary and will clear up over a day or two. Recurring exposure to loud noises, like attending concerts regularly, or listening to loud audio on headphones every day, can cause more irreversible hearing loss.
Tips for safeguarding your hearing in autumn
- Avoid sitting beside loudspeakers: While it’s tempting to get close to the action, sitting right next to the speakers at an event can subject you to hazardously high noise levels.
- Turn down your headphones: In order to avoid damage, listen at a lower volume level and reduce headphone usage.
- Wear earplugs at events: If you go to outdoor concerts or Halloween gatherings, use earplugs to lower the volume without muting the experience.
Cold weather and ear health
Remember to safeguard your ears from the cold as temperatures drop. Cold weather can leave your ears vulnerable to infections, which in turn can affect your hearing. Ear infections are more prevalent when it’s cold out and both adults and children are susceptible.
Why ear infections are dangerous
Cold air can lead to discomfort, temporary hearing loss, and pain because it can cause fluid buildup and inflammation of the middle ear. If an ear infection goes untreated, it can impact both your hearing health and your overall health, resulting in more serious health issues.
Preventive measures for cold weather
- Wear ear protection: Keep your ears warm by entirely covering them with a hat, earmuffs, or a headband.
- Pay attention to symptoms: If you feel pain, fluid draining from the ear, or experience sudden hearing loss, talk to a healthcare provider immediately for assessment and treatment.
Tips for safe ear cleaning
While earwax is frequently viewed as a nuisance, it plays a crucial role in keeping your ears healthy by trapping dust, debris, and insects. However, excessive earwax can become problematic, especially if it blocks your hearing.
Many individuals use cotton swabs to clean their ears, but this common habit can actually push the wax further into your ear canal, creating blockages and even harming the ear. Better cleaning methods include:
- Consult a professional: If you’re uncertain about cleaning your ears or think you have a wax blockage, come see us for a consultation. We can safely remove the wax with specialized tools and prevent further problems.
- Hydrogen peroxide drops: Utilize a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or an over-the-counter earwax solution to soften and clear out excess wax. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then tilt your head to allow it to drain.
Medication-induced hearing problems
Hearing issues are one of the unforeseen side effects of certain medications. Common medications including certain antibiotics, diuretics, and even large doses of aspirin can impair your hearing.
If you observe changes in your hearing after starting a new medication, it’s important to contact your physician. Whether your hearing loss is related to a new medication, and if so, what to do about it, are things they will assist you with.
Take action at the first sign of hearing loss
Seasonal experiences in autumn are full of memorable sounds, and the ability to hear them clearly is something you don’t want to lose. Schedule an appointment for a consultation if you notice any changes to your hearing.
