Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you probably were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that when significant enough, interferes with your hearing. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the best tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be averted
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? A freeway, for instance, can be loud enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent harmful noises include:
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are necessary. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But you need to use the appropriate hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. Most phones include built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous limit.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes reach hazardous levels.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate slowly. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you might have
In most cases, hearing loss develops gradually over an extended period of time. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against added damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you stay clear of further damage to your ears by providing you with individualized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Although we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize additional damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you use ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.