Isn’t pizza cool? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses concerned, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems – loud noises, genetics, age, ear obstructions – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is normally the first thing to do when you begin to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some easy steps you can take to safeguard your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your mom used to constantly ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But with regards to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re worried about.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your ability to hear can be impeded by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of dirty ears. Your functional hearing will usually return when then the infection clears.
- Sound waves will have a harder time getting into your inner ear if you have significant accumulation. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This might make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- After a while, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can trigger even more harm. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local drugstore which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears also. And, be mindful to safeguard your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some useful ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s okay but remember your ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs give ample protection.
- Avoid cranking up the volume on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. Most cellphones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a hazardous level.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches hazardous thresholds.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
Hearing loss generally accumulates over time. So you’ll be in a better position to avoid further harm if you catch it early. So in terms of hearing loss, this is the reason why getting it treated is so significant. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to crank up the tv to damaging volumes. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social separation that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
- We will give you individualized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many situations, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss correctly will stop additional damage while preserving your present level of hearing.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!