Isn’t pizza interesting? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you most likely were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Unclean ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could make you think that your hearing is going.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will usually make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” really is. A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular use of your lawn mower. As you can tell, it isn’t only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, harmful noises.:
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When you have to be in a loud environment, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the required ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can make use of an app on your phone to alert you.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid additional damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- We will help you stay clear of additional damage to your ears by providing you with individualized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the best approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the future.
