Normally, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to control the damage. After all, you can take some simple steps to avoid further damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those first hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? In terms of hearing health, though, we’re not worried about the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of distinctive ways:
- Untidy ears increase your odds of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that (when severe enough) impedes your hearing. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually come back.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function as well. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. Consequently, your hearing becomes diminished.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to attempt to dig out built up earwax. Additional damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will frequently worsen your ability to hear. Over the counter ear drops are a better opinion.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. Over a long time period, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy freeway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. Obviously, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing damage.
Some useful ways to escape damaging noises include:
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re listening to music or watching videos. Most phones feature built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous level.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments can’t be avoided. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Going to a rock concert? That’s great. But be sure to use the proper protection for your ears. A perfect example would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When decibel levels get too high, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
The damage to your hearing from loud sounds will develop gradually. So if you’ve been to a loud event, you may have done damage even if you don’t realize it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing specialist.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Addressed
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So catching any damage early on will help prevent additional injury. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of decreasing hearing loss. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you seek out and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is diminished by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for instance, let you listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, avoiding damage. Hearing aids will prevent further degeneration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
- We can give individualized guidelines and advice to help you prevent added damage to your ears.
You Will be Benefited in The Future by Limiting Hearing Loss
Although it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent additional damage. One of the primary ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. The appropriate treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you wear hearing protection, exercise good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the proper measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come.