Pizza is an interesting thing. 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 presentations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally 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. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The issue is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway travel can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it isn’t only blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, damaging noises.:
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- Using hearing protection when loud settings are unavoidable. Are you working on a noisy factory floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will progress slowly. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. 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, deal with it
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to stop further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional harm to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.
