Generally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. After all, you can take some easy measures to stop further damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those initial hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? With regards to hearing health, though, we’re not concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function also. This might make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a severe ear infection which can also be a result of unclean ears. Your hearing will return to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be impacted by neglected hearing loss.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. The issue is that most people aren’t entirely certain what a “loud noise” actually is. Over a long period of time, for instance, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Your lawnmower motor can be rather taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing impairment.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. Most phones have built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can warn you of that.
- Using ear protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Does your job put you on the floor of a loud manufacturing plant? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the required ear protection. A perfect example would be earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will develop slowly. So if you’ve been to a loud event, you could have done damage even if you don’t notice it. Only a hearing specialist can give your hearing a clean bill of health.
Step #3: Treat Any Hearing Impairment You May Have
In general, hearing impairment is cumulative. So catching any damage early will help prevent additional injury. That’s why getting treated is tremendously important in terms of decreasing hearing loss. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you find and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further degeneration of your hearing.
- We can give individualized guidelines and advice to help you avoid further damage to your hearing.
- Hearing aids minimize the brain strain and social solitude that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Limiting Hearing Loss
Although it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop additional damage. One of the principal ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. The right treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you use hearing protection, exercise good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.