Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can change toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have a hard time hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first step you should take when facing hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some simple steps to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you probably were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, regarding hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can improve your hearing in a variety of different ways:
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can lead to swelling which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will normally go back to normal after the infection clears.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This might make you think that your hearing is going.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always make the problem worse. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be averted
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? For instance, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent usage of your lawn mower. As you can see, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. The majority of phones offer built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous limit.
- Using ear protection when loud environments are necessary. Are you working on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. Just wear the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes get to dangerous thresholds.
There’s a gradual progression to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In general, hearing loss is progressive. You’ll be in a better position to stop further damage if you recognize your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and implement it.
Treatment works like this:
- We will help you avoid further damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized guidance when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further impairment of your hearing.
In the long run, you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further damage to your ears. In many cases, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
You’re taking the correct steps to prevent 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.