Isn’t pizza fascinating? As long as a few criteria are met, you can adjust 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 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 facing hearing loss of any variety. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to safeguard your hearing and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean 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, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can impact your hearing:
- Unkempt ears increase your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could give you the impression that your hearing is going.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most circumstances, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Really loud noises should be avoided
This is so obvious that it kind of goes without saying. But what precisely comprises a “loud sound”? A highway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over a long time period, it can harm your ears. Your ears can also be damaged by regular usage of your lawn mower. As you can see, it’s not only blasting speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid loud, harmful noises.:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when volumes get to unsafe thresholds.
- Refraining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to music. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- Wearing hearing protection when loud settings are necessary. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But you need to use the appropriate ear protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is okay 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: Treat any hearing loss you may have
In most situations, hearing loss develops gradually over a long time period. You’ll be in a better position to prevent additional damage if you identify your hearing loss early. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit additional harm to your hearing. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you wear ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.