Isn’t pizza interesting? You can alter the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few general criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when facing hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you most likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to swelling which will impede your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
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. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always make the problem worse. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be averted
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? A freeway, for example, can be loud enough that over a long time period, it can damage 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.
Some useful ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach dangerous levels.
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on a noisy factory floor? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. Just use the required hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
There’s a slow development to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In general, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to avoid further damage if you identify your hearing loss early. That’s why treatment is extremely important in terms of minimizing hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and implement it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
In the long run, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit further damage. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
You’re taking the appropriate measures to minimize hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, use ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.