Isn’t pizza interesting? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your hearing and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in several different ways:
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This might make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
If you find earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The issue is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended period of time, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears, also. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels reach hazardous thresholds.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are necessary. Are you working on a loud factory floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. Just wear the required hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So don’t just 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: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In most situations, hearing loss develops gradually over a long period of time. You’ll be in a better position to protect against further damage if you identify your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional damage to your hearing. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you wear ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.