Isn’t pizza interesting? You can switch 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. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- Unkempt ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, disrupts your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be averted
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway travel can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy settings are necessary. Do you work on a loud industrial floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s awesome. But wear the necessary hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. 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.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So don’t just assume that your hearing is okay 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 may have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop added damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by wearing hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to harmful levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further impairment of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
You’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss and put yourself in the best situation to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.
