Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and safeguard 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? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can impact your hearing:
- Unclean ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This might make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the right tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Avoid loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, freeway travel can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears, as well. As you can tell, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to dangerous thresholds.
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones feature built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous limit.
- When you have to be in a loud setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine 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: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In most situations, hearing loss develops gradually over a long period of time. You’ll be in a better position to stop additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further harm to your ears. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to accomplish that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you wear hearing protection, maintain 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 future.