Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by many different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Unclean ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal when the infection is gone.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This may give you the impression that your hearing is going.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a substantial amount of earwax builds up. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the correct tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could cause 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 determine what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When you have to be in a loud environment, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud industrial floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s awesome. But use the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply sufficient protection.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to unsafe levels.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by wearing hearing aids.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further damage to your hearing. In many cases, 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 hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.