Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and manifestations 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 detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax accumulates. When this occurs you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always make the problem worse. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be averted
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for example, can be loud enough that over an extended time period, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, as well. As you can see, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. The majority of phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous limit.
- 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 noisy setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
There’s a gradual advancement to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So don’t just assume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In most situations, hearing loss accumulates gradually over a long period of time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop added damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further impairment of your hearing.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional harm to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you use ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.