Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to 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.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you likely learned that you need to wash behind your ears. With regards to hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can block soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Your chance of developing an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in swelling which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
A cotton swab is absolutely not the best tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be avoided
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid loud, damaging noises.:
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, 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 wear the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply adequate protection.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. Most phones include built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels get to unsafe thresholds.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So don’t just 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, deal with it
In most situations, hearing loss accumulates gradually over an extended period of time. You’ll be in a better position to protect against additional damage if you identify your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible situation.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by supplying you with individualized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
In the long run, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Even though we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you limit additional 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 correct treatment.
You’re taking the proper steps to limit hearing loss and put yourself in the best situation to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing exams.