Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few standard criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s related to an obstruction, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those original hygiene instructions you learn (or should have learned), right? When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Your brain and your ability to interpret sounds can be affected over time by untreated hearing loss.
- Your ability to hear can be obstructed by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of dirty ears. Your normal hearing will typically come back when then the infection clears.
- Earwax accumulation also disrupts the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial accumulation. Your hearing becomes compromised as a result.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more damage. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could lead to hearing loss should be avoided
This one is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on this list. But defining what constitutes “loud sound” is not very easy for most individuals. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your hearing, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears too. And when you’re out celebrating the 4th of July, be careful to safeguard your hearing!
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, use ear protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. Most cellphones have built-in alerts when you’re approaching a harmful threshold.
- When decibel levels get too high, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In general, hearing loss is accumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. So in terms of hearing loss, this is the reason why having it treated is so significant. 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 further damage by supplying you with individualized advice and instructions.
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-associated health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to crank up the tv to harmful volumes. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Treatment is one of the main ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there is no cure. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will prevent further damage while preserving your current level of hearing.
When you wear hearing protection, practice quality hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the correct steps to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come!
