Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few factors are met, you can change 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, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you probably learned that you need to wash behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Unkempt ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your hearing will normally go back to normal after the infection is gone.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be avoided
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for example, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular usage of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it’s not only blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. The majority of phones include built-in warnings when you’re nearing a hazardous threshold.
- When you have to be in a loud environment, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. But you should use the correct hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
There’s a gradual development to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. Only if you come in and see us can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
In most situations, hearing loss accumulates gradually over a long time period. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and implement it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- When you come in and see us we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional damage to your ears. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.
