The first thing to do, when you start to identify that you have hearing loss, is to avoid further damage. After all, you can take some simple measures to avoid further damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about cleaning in terms of hearing health, rather than behind the ears.
There are numerous ways that keeping your ears free of wax can assist your hearing:
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Unkempt ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that (when severe enough) impedes your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return.
- Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be impacted by neglected hearing loss.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out excess earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will worsen the situation or cause additional damage. Over the counter ear drops are a better decision.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real issue for most people. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long time period. The motor on your lawnmower can be rather taxing on your ears, also. Obviously, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing impairment.
Some useful ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- When decibel levels get too high, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- When you can’t steer clear of loud settings, use hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s great. Just use the required ear protection. Modern earplugs and earmuffs supply ample protection.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable volume. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a dangerous threshold.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up slowly. So if you’ve been to a noisy event, you could have done damage even if you don’t notice it. Only a hearing professional can give your hearing a clean bill of health.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Treated
Hearing impairment accumulates most of the time. So catching any damage early on will help prevent added injury. That’s why getting treated is extremely important when it comes to decreasing hearing loss. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s how treatments work:
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is diminished by wearing hearing aids because they minimize social isolation and brain strain.
- Our guidance will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
You Will be Benefited in The Future by Limiting Hearing Loss
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the main ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. Getting the proper treatment will not only stop further damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.