Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can alter toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by a number of 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.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we’re not concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always worsen the situation. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it practically 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 highway, for instance, can be loud enough that over an extended period of time, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a number of ways to steer clear of loud, harmful noises.:
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Wearing hearing protection when loud environments are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply sufficient protection.
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
There’s a gradual development to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine 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: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In general, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to stop additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is extremely important when it comes to minimizing hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you stay clear of additional damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further damage to your ears. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.