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 similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you likely were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This might make you think that your hearing is going.
- Unclean ears increase your chances of developing an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when significant enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will usually worsen the situation. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended period of time, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a hazardous threshold.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud industrial floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay 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, get it treated
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by providing you with personalized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional damage to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. The right treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
You’re taking the appropriate steps to minimize 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 tests.
