Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you likely were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to swelling which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal after the infection is gone.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will typically make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on the list. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? For instance, freeway travel can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to hazardous levels.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones offer built-in warnings when you’re nearing a damaging limit.
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s awesome. But you need to use the correct hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will progress slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. 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
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by providing you with individualized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to harmful levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
Over the long haul, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Although we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you minimize further damage. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to accomplish that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
You’re taking the proper steps 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 exams.