Pizza is an interesting thing. You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting 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 additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud sounds that could cause hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? For instance, highway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, also. As you can see, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid loud, damaging noises.:
- When you need to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s awesome. But you should use the correct hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a hazardous threshold.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to dangerous thresholds.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So don’t just presume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid added damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so crucial. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further degeneration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit additional damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.