Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses concerned, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and manifestations are due to many different issues – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to stop the damage. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to protect your ears and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your parents used to always ask “did you wash behind your ears”? When it comes to hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Your hearing can be helped in several ways by keeping your ears free of earwax:
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their functionality. This could make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Over time, neglected hearing loss affects your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time getting into your inner ear if you have significant buildup. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Unkempt ears boost your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will typically return.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause added damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could lead to hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be pretty intuitive. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. There are many hazards to your hearing in everyday life and that includes things as common as driving on a noisy freeway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears too. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be careful to safeguard your ears!
Here are some useful ways to eliminate noise damage:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when the volume reaches unsafe levels.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to tunes, keep the headphone volume down. When you’re listening at hazardous levels, most phones have built-in alerts.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection from modern earplugs and earmuffs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” good after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated
Hearing loss generally builds over time. So you’ll be in a better position to avoid further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is incredibly crucial when it comes to restricting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you observe the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Treatment works like this:
- Mental strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with customized advice and guidelines.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will stop further damage while maintaining your present degree of hearing.
In the years to come you will be giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice quality hygiene!