Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first step you should take when facing hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your hearing and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a significant amount of earwax builds up. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Unkempt ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when significant enough, interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will normally go back to normal when the infection clears.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could make you think that your hearing is going.
A cotton swab is definitely not the best 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 usually make the problem worse. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- When you have to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s awesome. Just use the necessary ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer sufficient protection.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes get to dangerous thresholds.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. Most phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a damaging limit.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you figure out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you may have
In most situations, hearing loss accumulates slowly over a long time period. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against additional damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help 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. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you use hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.