Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can alter toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by a number of different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you probably were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause swelling which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will normally return to normal after the infection clears.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This might give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added harm. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to dangerous thresholds.
- When you have to be in a noisy environment, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. But wear the required ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply adequate protection.
- Abstaining 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 warning.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate gradually. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay 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: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to avoid further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
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 additional harm to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
You’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss and put yourself in the best situation to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.