Isn’t pizza interesting? As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re facing hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to limit the damage. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added harm. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be averted
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, highway travel can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- When you have to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. But you should use the correct hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs provide adequate protection.
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you find 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 instances, hearing loss accumulates slowly over an extended period of time. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you identify your hearing loss early on. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible situation.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
Over the long haul, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the proper measures to minimize hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing exams.