Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few factors 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 numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when facing hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will impede your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
If you find earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always worsen the situation. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Avoid loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy settings are necessary. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. Most phones include built-in alerts when you’re approaching a hazardous limit.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes reach unsafe thresholds.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in and see us can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you identify your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by using hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to harmful levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further damage to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
You’re taking the proper measures to prevent 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.
