Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few criteria are met, you can alter 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, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in several different ways:
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This might make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Unclean ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your hearing will usually return to normal when the infection is gone.
A cotton swab is definitely not the best tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional harm. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud sounds that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. As you can see, it’s not only blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to steer clear of loud, harmful noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to hazardous thresholds.
- 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 warning.
- Wearing ear protection when loud environments are necessary. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will progress slowly. So don’t just assume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against further damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and implement it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are exacerbated by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further damage to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The right treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
You’re taking the correct steps to prevent 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.