Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can change toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to safeguard your ears and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were younger, you probably learned that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be avoided
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you have to be in a loud setting, utilize hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a loud factory? It’s okay if you want to go to that rock concert. But wear the required ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous limit.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up slowly. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a loud 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: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to protect against additional damage. That’s why treatment is tremendously 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 wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health conditions.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize further damage. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you use hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.