Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to safeguard your ears and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Unclean ears raise your risk of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when significant enough, impedes your hearing. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This might give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the right tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by regular usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you need to be in a loud setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate gradually. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid additional damage. That’s why treatment is tremendously important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and implement it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional harm to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
You’re taking the appropriate steps to minimize hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, use ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing exams.