Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, obstructions, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you probably were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, regarding hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can help your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Unclean ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when severe enough, disrupts your ability to hear. Your hearing will normally return to normal after the infection is gone.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the correct tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on the list. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? For instance, highway travel can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can make use of an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a loud environment, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate ear protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a loud 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: Address any hearing loss you might have
In general, hearing loss is progressive. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
Over the long haul, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Although we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you wear ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.