Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can switch the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. But as long as you have difficulty 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 (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Unclean ears increase your risk of developing an ear infection, which creates inflammation that when significant enough, interferes with your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make you think that your hearing is going.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be averted
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? A freeway, for example, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by regular use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, damaging noises.:
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a hazardous threshold.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can make use of an app on your phone to alert you.
- Wearing ear protection when loud settings are unavoidable. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But use the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply adequate protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress slowly. So don’t just assume 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: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. You’ll be in a better position to protect against further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by using hearing aids.
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by providing you with personalized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
Although we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.