Isn’t pizza cool? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are due to many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have trouble hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to detect hearing loss. This is just one simple step you can take to protect your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your parents used to constantly ask “did you clean behind your ears”? In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Your hearing can be helped in numerous ways by keeping your ears clear of earwax:
- After a while, neglected hearing loss affects your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time reaching your inner ear if you have significant buildup. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their functionality. If this occurs you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your normal hearing will usually come back when then the infection goes away.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could lead to hearing loss
This one should be fairly obvious. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your hearing, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by things like your lawn mower engine. And, be mindful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some useful ways to steer clear of damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels reach unsafe thresholds.
- Wearing ear protection when noisy situations are unavoidable. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s fine. Just use the correct hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. Most cellphones have built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous level.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In general, hearing loss is accumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is very important when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible state.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- Mental strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-associated health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will give you customized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your hearing.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss in spite of the fact that there is no cure. Treating your hearing loss correctly will prevent further damage while preserving your present level of hearing.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!
