Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few factors are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax buildup can impact your hearing:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Unclean ears increase your risk of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, disrupts your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal when the infection clears.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will almost always make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud sounds that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. The issue is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Wearing ear protection when noisy environments are necessary. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But use the required hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to hazardous levels.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you may have
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to avoid additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in and see us we will provide individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
In the long run, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent additional damage. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you wear ear 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 years to come.