Pizza is an interesting thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and presentations are a consequence of many different issues – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear obstructions – but as long as you have trouble hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to notice 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 always ask “did you wash behind your ears”? But when it comes to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Over time, neglected hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their operation. This may make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can be impeded by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will typically come back.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can block sound waves from getting into your inner ear. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
You should never attempt to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause added damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be pretty obvious. The challenge is that most individuals have no clue what a “loud noise” actually is. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in day-to-day life and that includes things as common as driving on a loud freeway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears as well. And, be mindful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Here are a few practical ways to eliminate noise damage:
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, use ear protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just wear the necessary ear protection. You can get enough protection from modern earplugs and earmuffs.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches damaging levels.
- Refrain from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. When you’re listening at unsafe levels, most phones have built-in warnings.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a noisy 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
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is extremely essential when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible state.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Mental strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing can stop further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with individualized advice and instructions.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent it. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current degree of hearing and prevent it from becoming worse.
When you use hearing protection, practice quality hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the best measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come!