Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you most likely were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Unclean ears increase your risk of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when significant enough, impedes your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
A cotton swab is definitely not the best tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud sounds that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. 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 raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones feature built-in alerts when you’re nearing a damaging threshold.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach dangerous thresholds.
- When you need to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. Just wear the required ear protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will progress gradually. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In most instances, hearing loss accumulates slowly over an extended period of time. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
- We will help you stay clear of additional damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
Over the long haul, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you minimize additional damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to accomplish that. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you wear ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.