Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can change toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. But as long as you have a hard time hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Frequently, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic measures 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 childhood 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 the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Unkempt ears increase your risk of getting an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a significant amount of earwax builds up. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may give you the impression that your hearing is going.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional harm. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be averted
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that most individuals are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, freeway travel can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. 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.
Here are a number of ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy settings are unavoidable. Are you working on a loud industrial floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But wear the required ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply adequate protection.
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. Most phones offer built-in warnings when you’re nearing a hazardous threshold.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate gradually. 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: Manage any hearing loss you might have
In most instances, hearing loss develops gradually over a long time period. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid added damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Even though we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit further damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the proper measures 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 exams.