Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you probably were taught that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can improve your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This might make you think that your hearing is going.
- Unkempt ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a substantial amount of earwax builds up. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? A highway, for example, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can see, it isn’t only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to hazardous levels.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. Most phones offer built-in alerts when you’re approaching a damaging threshold.
- Wearing ear protection when loud settings are necessary. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. But use the necessary ear protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you figure out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In most cases, hearing loss accumulates slowly over a long time period. You’ll be in a better position to protect against additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to harmful levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize additional damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary 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.
You’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, use ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.
