The fall season is a standout time in the annual calendar. Picture yourself in a relaxing setting, enveloped by the warmth and joy of the season – the sound of children’s giggles on Halloween, the rustle of leaves beneath your feet on a brisk autumn day, the soothing crackle of a fire, and the love and laughter of family sitting around the table on Thanksgiving. Now imagine that you can’t hear those things or that they are muted.
Failing to hear these sounds can considerably diminish the festive atmosphere. The good thing is, many hearing issues are non permanent and can be managed by addressing underlying causes that are usually simple to fix or prevent. Follow these guidelines to safeguard your hearing and fully appreciate the fall season.
Tips for preserving your hearing
It is clear and undeniable that prolonged exposure to loud noises can result in non permanent hearing loss, and if the exposure continues over time, it can become a permanent condition. Excessive volume can harm the delicate components of your inner ear, so it is essential to take measures to limit the danger.
A quick, extremely loud noise like an explosion can result in temporary hearing impairment, and although timely medical intervention might reduce the effect, it is difficult to prevent. Prolonged exposure to sounds measuring 85 decibels or louder can lead to hearing damage and is typically more preventable.
Heavy traffic comes in at 85 decibels, and sirens are measured at 120 decibels. Along with firecrackers and fireworks, loud music through earbuds can also pose a threat to your hearing. Be cautious when increasing the volume, as the closeness of the sound to your eardrum can result in damage. Regrettably, there are no special allowances for enjoying your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Fall’s celebrations often include outdoor get-togethers and live music events. The pleasant weather persists, making it an ideal time to head to a nearby park, where you can fire up a barbecue and take pleasure in a relaxing picnic on a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit directly in front of the speakers, you may be hit with a whopping 140 decibels. Even further away, the decibel level at concerts is often in the danger zone.
So what should you do?
Protecting your hearing by wearing earplugs is one of the most helpful things you can do. By taking safety measures, you can minimize the danger of hearing damage while still being able to fully experience the music and fireworks show. As alluring as it is, try not to keep creeping closer to those speakers as the night passes.
Protect your ears from cold weather
Safeguarding your ears as the weather gets colder and more windy is important to prevent infections. Make certain that you and your family are wearing ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. While ear infections are often related to kids, they can also affect grown-ups, and it’s not only limited to parents and grandparents. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear is an outcome of these infections, which also result in inflammation. You may experience fluid draining from your ear, pain, and hearing loss.
Get immediate medical attention if you’re noticing symptoms of an ear infection. Not seeking treatment for this problem, which could be a warning of a hidden medical condition, poses risks to your well-being.
Safely clean out earwax
Earwax, despite being annoying, plays a crucial role in catching dirt, bugs, and debris to prevent them from reaching your inner ear. However, an overabundance of earwax can become an issue, especially if it obstructs your ability to hear properly.
Prevention is key to preventing hearing issues caused by earwax. You may have spent decades grabbing a cotton swab or some other item to clear wax, but please break that habit. Using cotton swabs can force earwax deeper into your ear, potentially leading to a blockage and impaired hearing.
Consider utilizing ear cleaning solutions, including hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to carefully cleanse your ears. Let the drops sit for a few minutes, and then tip your head to let them drain. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are worried that the blockage is too great, visit a hearing specialist. Special tools are available to them that will streamline the job.
Medications may be the cause
If you started a new medication and noticed that you suddenly have a harder time hearing, it might be the medication. Certain antibiotics, diuretics, large doses of aspirin, and other drugs can lead to hearing problems. If this is a problem for you, contact your doctor right away and ask whether you should continue using your medications.
Remember, any changes in your hearing need to get assessed immediately.
Contact a hearing care specialist if you are noticing hearing loss this season.