The fall season is a standout period in the yearly calendar. Picture yourself in a relaxing setting, enveloped by the warmth and joy of the season – the sound of children’s giggles on Halloween, the rustle of leaves beneath your feet on a brisk fall day, the relaxing crackle of a fire, and the love and laughter of family sitting around the table on Thanksgiving. Now imagine that you can’t hear those things or that they are muffled.
Missing out on these sounds can take the joy out of the season. Luckily, if you have issues with your hearing, it may be temporary and triggered by things that are easily avoided or reparable. Follow these suggestions to safeguard your hearing and fully appreciate the autumn season.
How to protect your hearing
There is indisputable evidence showing that exposure to loud noises can lead to short-term hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into a permanent issue. Loud noises damage the sensitive parts of your inner ear, and you should do what you can to mitigate the issue.
A one-time, very loud sound like an explosion can cause temporary hearing loss, and while prompt medical attention can help limit the effects, that’s hard to avoid. Lengthier exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, though, can also cause hearing loss and is often easier to avoid.
The sound level of heavy traffic measures 85 decibels, while sirens are a much louder 120 decibels. Firecrackers and fireworks can also damage your hearing. Think twice about putting in earbuds and turning up the music, as the sound is even closer to your inner ear. Regrettably, there are no special allowances for enjoying your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Fall’s celebrations typically include outdoor get-togethers and live music performances. The weather is still beautiful, and you may find yourself in a park where you can set up a grill and spread out a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit directly in front of the speakers, you may be confronted with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts frequently reach hazardous decibel levels even at a significant distance.
So what should you do?
Safeguarding your hearing by wearing earplugs is one of the most helpful things you can do. By taking safety measures, you can minimize the danger of hearing damage while still being able to fully enjoy the music and fireworks show. As tempting as it is, try not to keep creeping closer to those speakers as the night goes on.
Keep your ears safe in chilly temperatures
Safeguarding your ears as the weather cools down and more blustery is essential to prevent infections. Make sure that you and your family have on ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. You may think of your children and grandchildren when you consider ear infections, but adults get them as well. These infections cause fluid to build up in your middle ear, and they result in inflammation. Discharge from the ear, soreness, and impaired hearing are possible symptoms you may encounter.
If you have an ear infection, you should see a physician right away. Not seeking treatment for this problem, which could be a warning of an underlying medical condition, presents dangers to your health.
Safely clean out earwax
That annoying earwax may get on your nerves, but it serves the essential purpose of capturing dirt, bugs, and debris before they get into your inner ear. If you have too much earwax, though, it can be a concern, particularly if it obstructs your hearing.
The first step in avoiding hearing problems caused by earwax is prevention. You might have spent many years utilizing a cotton swab or another tool to remove earwax, but it’s time to stop that practice. Cotton swabs force the wax into your ear canal, causing a blockage and hearing loss.
Try cleaning your ears by putting in drops of hydrogen peroxide or purchasing over-the-counter drops. Allow the drops to sit for a short while, then incline your head to help with drainage. Think about consulting an audiologist or hearing specialist if ear cleaning seems daunting or if you suspect a severe blockage. They have special tools to make the job easier.
Medications may be the cause
An abbrupt decline in your hearing abilities after beginning a new medication could be a side effect of the medication itself. Some antibiotics, high amounts of aspirin, and various medications like diuretics can cause problems with hearing. If you are concerned about this matter, contact your physician as soon as possible to figure out whether you should continue taking your medication.
Be certain to have any decline in your hearing promptly examined.
Get in touch with a hearing care specialist if you are experiencing hearing loss this season.
