Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your hearing and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, in terms of hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. When this occurs you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause swelling which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional damage. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud sounds that could contribute to hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Are you working on a noisy industrial floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can make use of an app on your phone to alert you.
There’s a slow progression to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a loud 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, get it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in and see us we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional damage to your hearing. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to accomplish that. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.