Pizza is an interesting thing. You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. But as long as you have a hard time hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
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? With regards to hearing health, we’re not worried about the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in several different ways:
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when significant enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will almost always worsen the situation. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” really is. A freeway, for example, can be loud enough that over a long period of time, it can damage your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. As you can tell, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to hazardous levels.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When you need to be in a loud environment, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress gradually. So don’t just assume that your hearing is okay after a loud event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over an extended time period. You’ll be in a better position to stop additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by providing you with individualized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit additional damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve 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 correct measures to prevent hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.