Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it meets a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Unkempt ears increase your risk of developing an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your hearing will normally go back to normal when the infection clears.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will usually worsen the situation. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be averted
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, freeway travel can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to prevent harmful noises include:
- Using hearing protection when loud settings are unavoidable. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s awesome. Just use the required hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes reach hazardous thresholds.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So don’t just presume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you figure out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you might have
In most situations, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. So, the earlier you recognize 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. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to harmful levels. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be prevented by wearing hearing aids.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you limit additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The appropriate treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
When you use ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue 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 future.