Pizza is an interesting thing. You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few general criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Frequently, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 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? With regards to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Unclean ears raise your risk of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when significant enough, impedes your hearing. Your hearing will normally return to normal after the infection is gone.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the best tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could contribute to hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. The issue is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, also. As you can tell, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones offer built-in warnings when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Are you working on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will progress gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. 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 may have
In most instances, hearing loss develops gradually over an extended period of time. You’ll be in a better position to avoid additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- When you come in and see us we will provide personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
In the long run, 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. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
You’re taking the appropriate measures to prevent 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 tests.