Pizza is a fascinating 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. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of developing an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when severe enough, impedes your hearing. Your hearing will normally return to normal after the infection is gone.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make you think that your hearing is going.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. A freeway, for example, can be loud enough that over an extended time period, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, as well. As you can see, it’s not only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When you have to be in a loud setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. But use the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. 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 might have
In most cases, hearing loss develops slowly over an extended period of time. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is extremely important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re using 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 prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are focused on limiting additional harm to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you wear hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.