Pizza is an interesting thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few standard criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s a result of a blockage, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you first notice hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some easy measures you can take to safeguard your ears and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Remember when your mom used to always ask “did you wash 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.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildups can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Your ability to hear can be obstructed by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will typically come back.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can stop sound waves from reaching your inner ear. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
- Over time, neglected hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also impede their operation. This could make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more harm. You can get 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 lead to hearing loss
This one should be fairly obvious. The problem is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in day-to-day life and that includes things as common as driving on a noisy highway every day over long periods. Your ears can also be compromised by things like the motor of your lawn mower. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be mindful to protect your hearing!
Here are a few practical ways to eliminate noise damage:
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. When you’re listening at unsafe volumes, most phones have built-in warnings.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches unsafe thresholds.
- Using hearing protection when loud conditions are inescapable. If you want to attend a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s fine but don’t forget your hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Hearing loss generally accumulates over time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. So in terms of hearing loss, this is why getting it treated is so significant. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible state.
Here’s how treatments work:
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with personalized advice and guidelines.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to crank up the tv to damaging volumes. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
- Brain strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-related health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
Treatment is one of the primary ways to prevent hearing loss in spite of the fact that there’s no cure. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!
