Isn’t pizza fascinating? 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. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, obstructions, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit further damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you most likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. When it comes to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Unkempt ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when significant enough, disrupts your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this happens you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the best tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be avoided
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. The issue is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. A highway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to dangerous thresholds.
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy settings are necessary. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But wear the required ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply adequate protection.
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you figure out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In most instances, hearing loss accumulates gradually over a long time period. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
In the long run, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional damage to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.
