Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) whatever the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and presentations are due to many different issues – loud noises, genetics, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have trouble hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is usually the first thing to do when you begin to detect hearing loss. This is just one simple step you can take to safeguard your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your parents used to constantly ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But in terms of the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Your hearing can be helped in numerous ways by keeping your ears clear of earwax:
- Untidy ears boost your risk of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your functional hearing will typically return when the infection goes away.
- If you use hearing aids, earwax will also impede their operation. This could make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time reaching your inner ear if you have substantial accumulation. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be affected over time by neglected hearing loss.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. Cotton swabs can jam the earwax further up into the ear canal and can trigger even more harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could lead to hearing loss should be avoided
This one is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. But determining what comprises “loud sound” isn’t very easy for most people. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your hearing, freeway driving can be noisy enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by things like your lawn mower engine. And when you’re out celebrating the 4th of July, be mindful to safeguard your hearing!
Here are a few practical ways to eliminate noise damage:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when the volume reaches harmful levels.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to tunes, keep the headphone volume down. Most cellphones feature built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous level.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud setting, wear ear protection. If you want to attend a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s okay but don’t forget your ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
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, have it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. So when it comes to hearing loss, this is why having it treated is so crucial. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible state.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to turn the tv up to harmful volumes. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with personalized advice and guidelines.
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss correctly will stop further damage while maintaining your current level of hearing.
In the years to come you will be giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice quality hygiene!