Isn’t pizza great? As long as it meets a few standard criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) whatever the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are due to many different issues – loud noises, genetics, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is usually the first thing to do when you start to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and control further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your mom used to always ask “did you clean behind your ears”? In terms of hearing health, we aren’t worried about the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildups can help your hearing in numerous different ways:
- Earwax buildup also disrupts the functioning of your hearing aid if you use one. This might make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of dirty ears. Your normal hearing will usually return when then the infection clears up.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial buildup. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be impacted over time by untreated hearing loss.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause added damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one should be pretty intuitive. The problem is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. There are many hazards to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a loud highway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears also. And, be careful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach damaging thresholds.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. When you’re listening at dangerous volumes, most phones have built-in warnings.
- When you can’t prevent being in a loud setting, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the correct hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection from modern earplugs and earmuffs.
So if you go to a loud event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
In general, hearing loss is accumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to hearing loss, this is why getting it treated is so crucial. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Mental strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-associated health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will provide customized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there is no cure. The appropriate treatment will help you maintain your current degree of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!