Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some simple steps to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? When it comes to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Your chance of developing an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. Your hearing will normally return to normal when the infection clears.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a substantial amount of earwax builds up. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
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. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will almost always make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” really is. A highway, for instance, can be loud enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it isn’t just blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are necessary. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. The majority of phones include built-in warnings when you’re approaching a damaging limit.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate gradually. So don’t simply assume 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: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over an extended time period. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- When you come in and see us we will give you individualized guidance and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you prevent further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually 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 hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.