Isn’t pizza fascinating? 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 similar to hearing loss. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, obstructions, or exposure to loud noise.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you most likely learned that you need to wash behind your ears. In terms of hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could make you think that your hearing is going.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a substantial amount of earwax builds up. When this takes place you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- Unkempt ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. Your hearing will usually go back to normal after the infection is gone.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will almost always make the problem worse. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on the list. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, 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, as well. As you can tell, it’s not only blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent damaging noises include:
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. Most phones offer built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous limit.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels reach dangerous thresholds.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. But you need to use the correct hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you might have
In most cases, hearing loss accumulates slowly over an extended time period. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop added damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
In the long run, you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you wear ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.