Usually, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. After all, you can take some basic steps to prevent further damage and safeguard your ears.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re concerned with keeping clean when it comes to hearing health, rather than behind the ears.
Keeping your ears free from wax buildup can help your hearing in several different ways:
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent sound from getting into your inner ear. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a severe ear infection which can also be a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will normally return.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax buildup can interfere with its function as well. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. Over a long period of time, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy freeway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:
- When you can’t avoid loud settings, wear hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Going to see a rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earplugs and earmuffs offer ample protection.
- Utilizing an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach unsafe levels.
- Refraining from cranking the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When hazardous volumes are being approached, most phones feature a built in warning.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop suddenly, it progresses gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a noisy event, it may not be. Only a hearing professional can give your hearing a clean bill of health.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Treated
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be capable of preventing additional damage. So when it comes to slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so essential. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you find and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. Hearing aids will, for instance, let you listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, avoiding damage. Hearing aids will counter additional deterioration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is reduced by using hearing aids because they prevent social solitude and brain strain.
Decreasing Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Future
Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the primary ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. Getting the proper treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
Your allowing yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the appropriate treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.
