Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, 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 confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you probably were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we’re not worried about the parts behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Your chance of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make you think that your hearing is going.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always worsen the situation. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be averted
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? A freeway, for instance, can be loud enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. As you can tell, it isn’t only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a number of ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes reach dangerous levels.
- When you need to be in a loud setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate ear protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate gradually. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is fine after a loud event, even if it feels fine. 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 might have
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
Over the long haul, you will be helped by using hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further harm to your hearing. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue 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.
