Pizza is an interesting thing. You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to safeguard your ears and limit added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? 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 buildup can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will normally return to normal after the infection is gone.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be averted
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on the list. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Using hearing protection when loud environments are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But wear the required ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- 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 alert.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is okay after a loud 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: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent added damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of minimizing hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by using hearing aids.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. 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.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
Even though we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit further damage. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
You’re taking the appropriate measures to limit 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 exams.
