Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as it meets a few standard criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) regardless of the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and manifestations are due to many different issues – loud noises, genetics, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is normally the first thing to do when you begin to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and control further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Remember when your mom used to constantly ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But when it comes to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Your hearing can be helped in a number of ways by keeping your ears free of earwax:
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can stop sound waves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- After a while, untreated hearing loss affects your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This could make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will typically return.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears, freeway driving can be noisy enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be compromised by things like your lawn mower engine. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be cautious to safeguard your ears!
Some useful ways to steer clear of damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches dangerous levels.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, use ear protection. If you want to attend a loud rock concert or if you work in a loud factory that’s okay but remember your ear protection. You can get enough protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
- Refrain from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. Most cellphones have built-in alerts when you’re approaching a harmful threshold.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing feels fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a slow progression. Your hearing can only be properly assessed by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to avoid further harm if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is incredibly crucial when it comes to limiting hearing loss. 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 mental strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- We will provide individualized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your hearing.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to turn up the tv to damaging volumes. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many situations, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to prevent it. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current degree of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and engage in hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the correct measures to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!
