The first thing to do, when you begin to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to avoid further damage. There are, in fact, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those initial hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? When it comes to hearing health, though, we aren’t concerned with the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free from wax can help your hearing:
- Untidy ears raise your odds of getting an ear infection, which produces inflammation that (when severe enough) interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will normally come back.
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax buildup can interfere with its function as well. This might make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. As a result, your hearing becomes weakened.
You never resort to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out built up earwax. Further damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often make it even harder to hear. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real issue for most individuals. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your hearing over an extended time period. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. As you can see, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When dangerous volumes are being reached, most phones feature a built in warning.
- When you can’t steer clear of noisy settings, wear hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s great. Just wear the correct ear protection. A perfect example would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When decibel levels get too high, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop all of a sudden, it builds up gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing professional can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Addressed
Hearing loss 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 stopping hearing loss, treatment is so important. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on practical 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.
- Hearing aids stop the brain strain and social solitude that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing aids will prevent additional deterioration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Although we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, further damage can be prevented with treatment. One of the primary ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. Getting the necessary treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
Your allowing yourself the best possibility for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and practicing good hearing hygiene.