Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when facing hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, regarding hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a significant amount of earwax builds up. When this occurs 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 diminishing.
- Your chance of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will usually go back to normal after the infection is gone.
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added harm. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud sounds that could cause hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. The issue is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, highway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, damaging noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to dangerous levels.
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, use hearing protection. Are you working on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
- 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 alert.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you figure 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 accumulates slowly over a long period of time. You’ll be in a better position to stop additional damage if you identify your hearing loss early. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by wearing hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
In the long run, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Even though we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize additional damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
You’re taking the proper 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 exams.