Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can change toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were a kid, you probably learned that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This could make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in swelling which will obstruct your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal after the infection is gone.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the right tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, 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 avoided
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Wearing ear protection when loud environments are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s awesome. But wear the required hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
There’s a gradual development to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay 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: Address any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to stop further damage if you identify your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position 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 guidance and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. 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 deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by using hearing aids.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent additional damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
You’re taking the correct measures to limit 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.
