Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and manifestations are caused by numerous different problems, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you most likely were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, regarding hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax buildup can impact your hearing:
- Unclean ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your hearing will normally return to normal when the infection is gone.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax accumulates. When this takes place you won’t be able to hear as well.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This could make you think that your hearing is going.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be averted
This one is so instinctive it practically shouldn’t be on this list. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? For example, highway travel can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by regular use of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes get to hazardous levels.
- When you have to be in a loud setting, use hearing protection. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. But wear the required hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones offer built-in alerts when you’re nearing a hazardous limit.
There’s a slow progression to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is extremely important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by wearing hearing aids.
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it becomes harmful. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further impairment of your hearing.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you limit further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the proper steps to prevent hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, use ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.