Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some simple steps to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This could make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Unclean ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that when significant enough, interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal after the infection clears.
If you find earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not suggested that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. The problem is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. A highway, for example, can be loud enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, as well. As you can see, it’s not only blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a few ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach hazardous levels.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- Using ear protection when loud settings are necessary. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate ear protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
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 if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you limit further damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
You’re taking the proper steps to prevent hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing exams.
