Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as it meets a few standard criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) whatever the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and manifestations are due to many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is normally the first step to take when you begin to notice hearing loss. There are, after all, some easy steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your mom used to always ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But when it comes to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re concerned with.
Your hearing can be benefited in several ways by keeping your ears free of earwax:
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their functionality. If this happens you may think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- Over time, neglected hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Untidy ears boost your risk of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your functional hearing will typically return when then the infection clears up.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can block sound waves from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. You can buy earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This one should be pretty intuitive. But identifying what comprises “loud sound” is not easy for most individuals. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your hearing, highway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears as well. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be cautious to safeguard your hearing!
Here are a few useful ways to avoid noise damage:
- When decibel levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to let you know.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, keep the headphone volume down. When you’re listening at hazardous levels, most phones have built-in alerts.
- Wearing ear protection when noisy conditions are inescapable. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the correct ear protection. You can get plenty of protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a gradual progression. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Hearing loss typically builds over time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. So in terms of hearing loss, this is why getting it treated is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you follow the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to turn up the tv to harmful volumes. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with individualized advice and guidelines.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social separation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health issues.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many situations, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will stop further damage while preserving your present degree of hearing.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and engage in hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the best steps to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!
