The first thing to do, when you begin to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to prevent further damage. There are, in fact, some simple measures you can take to safeguard your ears and limit further hearing loss.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about keeping clean in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.
Keeping your ears free from wax accumulation can help your hearing in many different ways:
- When wax buildup becomes severe, it can block sound from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your hearing becomes weakened.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function also. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- In the long run, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Unkempt ears increase your odds of developing an ear infection, which produces inflammation that (when serious enough) interferes with your hearing. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will normally come back.
You never turn to using a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. Further damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will often make it even harder to hear. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so obvious it almost shouldn’t be on the list. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real issue for most individuals. Over a long time period, for instance, your ears can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. As you can tell, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When volume levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- Using hearing protection when noisy environments can’t be avoided. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Going to see a rock concert? That’s cool. But be sure to wear the appropriate protection for your ears. A perfect illustration would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. Most phones have built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous level.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will develop gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, it may not be. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Get it Addressed
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So recognizing any damage early on will help prevent added injury. That’s why getting treated is extremely important when it comes to stopping hearing loss. Practical treatments (that you follow through with) will keep your hearing in the best possible shape.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Hearing aids minimize the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further degeneration of your hearing.
- Our advice will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
Limiting Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Long Run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop further damage. One of the primary ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. The right treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you wear hearing protection, exercise good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.
