Pizza is an interesting thing. You can switch 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 similar. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Minimizing the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize 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. When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the parts behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can impact your hearing:
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This could give you the impression that your hearing is going.
- 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 regular hearing will normally return (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can block soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this happens you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s definitely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. But what exactly constitutes a “loud sound”? A highway, for example, can be noisy enough that over an extended period of time, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a noisy environment, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s okay if you want to attend that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide adequate protection.
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. The majority of phones offer built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous limit.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. 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, deal with it
In most instances, hearing loss develops gradually over an extended period of time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible situation.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further degeneration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
In the long run, you will be helped by using hearing aids
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further damage to your hearing. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to accomplish that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.