Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? When it comes to hearing health, we’re not concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This could make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will normally go back to normal when the infection clears.
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will almost always make the problem worse. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be averted
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” really is. A freeway, for instance, can be loud enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to unsafe levels.
- When you need to be in a noisy setting, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But you need to use the correct ear protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. Most phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate slowly. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. 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
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to stop further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and implement it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by providing you with personalized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning the volume of your television 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 worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent additional damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to accomplish that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.