Isn’t pizza interesting? You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few general criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by a number of different problems, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear blockages, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Frequently, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you likely learned that you need to clean behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we’re not worried about the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
If you find earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? A highway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over a long time period, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears, as well. As you can tell, it’s not only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a number of ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy settings are unavoidable. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. Just use the required hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer adequate protection.
- 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.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to unsafe levels.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s caused by 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: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In general, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you identify your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to minimizing hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- When you come in and see us we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit further damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to accomplish that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you wear hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get 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 future.