Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few factors are met, you can alter toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some simple steps to limit further damage and safeguard 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 your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can help your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This could give you the impression that your hearing is going.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
- Unkempt ears increase your risk of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that when severe enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional harm. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over a long time period, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, also. As you can see, it isn’t only blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- Wearing ear protection when loud settings are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes get to hazardous levels.
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
There’s a slow progression to hearing loss that’s caused by 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 and see us can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to avoid additional damage if you identify your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is tremendously important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and implement it.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from turning the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide personalized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you minimize further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
You’re taking the correct measures to prevent 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 tests.