Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, 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 simple steps you can take to protect your ears and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you most likely learned that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, regarding hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to swelling which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This might give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
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 harm. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be averted
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? A freeway, for example, can be loud enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be very straining 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 harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to unsafe levels.
- When you need to be in a loud setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s fine 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 you’re listening to music or watching videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to avoid further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. 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.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will counter further noise-related damage.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further harm to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.