Isn’t pizza great? As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) whatever the toppings, it’s still pizza. That’s also like hearing loss. Symptoms and manifestations are due to many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is usually the first thing to do when you start to notice hearing loss. This is just one simple step you can take to protect your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Remember when your parents used to always ask “did you wash behind your ears”? But with regards to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Over time, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop sound waves from getting into your inner ear. Your hearing becomes compromised as a result.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also impede their functionality. If this happens you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- Untidy ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will typically return.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things 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 obvious. The challenge is that most people have no clue what a “loud noise” really is. There are many dangers to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a noisy highway every day over long periods. Your ears can also be damaged by things like the motor of your lawn mower. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be cautious to safeguard your hearing!
Here are a few practical ways to avoid noise damage:
- Refrain from cranking the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When you’re listening at hazardous levels, most phones have built-in alerts.
- When volume levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Using hearing protection when loud situations are unavoidable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a loud factory that’s fine but don’t forget your ear protection. You can get enough protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Your hearing can only get a clean bill of health by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be better able to avoid further harm if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to restricting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you follow the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Treatment works like this:
- Mental strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will provide individualized instructions and guidance 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 turning your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
Treatment is one of the main ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there is no cure. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will stop additional damage while maintaining your present degree of hearing.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the proper measures to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!