Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when facing hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will normally go back to normal when the infection clears.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will usually make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be averted
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? A freeway, for example, can be loud 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. As you can see, it’s not only blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- When you have to be in a loud environment, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. Just use the required hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re nearing a hazardous limit.
There’s a gradual progression to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So don’t simply 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: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over an extended period of time. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional harm to your hearing. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to accomplish that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the proper measures to limit hearing loss and put yourself in the best situation to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.