Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit further damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? When it comes to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Unclean ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as if your hearing is diminishing.
A cotton swab is definitely not the best 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 worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent use of your lawn mower. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a few ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes reach unsafe thresholds.
- When you need to be in a loud environment, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But wear the required ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up gradually. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against further damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by using hearing aids.
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized instructions and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional harm to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you wear ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.