Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time 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 try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, in terms of hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in swelling which will impede your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This may give you the impression that your hearing is going.
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be avoided
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. The issue is that most individuals are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” really is. A freeway, for example, can be noisy enough that over a long period of time, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, as well. As you can see, it’s not only blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to dangerous thresholds.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When you need to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. Just use the necessary hearing protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
There’s a gradual development to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In most instances, hearing loss accumulates slowly over a long period of time. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with individualized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by using hearing aids.
Over the long haul, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further damage to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the appropriate steps 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.