Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as it meets a few standard criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) regardless of the toppings, it’s still pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. As long as you are having trouble hearing sound, whether it’s caused by a blockage, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is normally the first thing to do when you begin to notice hearing loss. This is just one basic step you can take to safeguard your hearing from further harm.
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? But in terms of the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re concerned with.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildups can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be affected over time by untreated hearing loss.
- Sound waves will have a harder time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial accumulation. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Earwax buildup also disrupts the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. If this happens you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by inflammation which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will typically come back.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be pretty intuitive. But identifying what constitutes “loud sound” is not very easy for most people. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears, freeway driving can be noisy enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by things like the motor of your lawn mower. And, be mindful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some practical ways to steer clear of damaging noises include:
- Using hearing protection when loud conditions are inescapable. If you want to attend a loud rock concert or if you work in a loud factory that’s fine but remember your ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- When you’re streaming movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. When you’re listening at unsafe volumes, most phones have built-in alerts.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach unsafe levels.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is often a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Hearing loss typically accumulates over time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to hearing loss, this is the reason why having it treated is so crucial. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible state.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to turn the tv up to dangerous volumes. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this kind of damage.
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with personalized advice and instructions.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social separation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there’s no cure. The appropriate treatment will help you maintain your current degree of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and engage in hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come!
