Isn’t pizza great? As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) regardless of the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s a result of an obstruction, age, loud noise, or anything else, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is normally the first thing to do when you start to notice hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those original hygiene instructions you learn (or should have learned), right? When it involves hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildups can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Earwax accumulation also disrupts the functioning of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem like your hearing is worsening.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can stop sound waves from getting into your inner ear. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your ability to hear can be obstructed by swelling which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of dirty ears. Your normal hearing will usually come back when then the infection clears up.
- After a while, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. You can buy earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could contribute to hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be fairly obvious. The problem is that most people have no clue what a “loud noise” actually is. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a noisy freeway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears too. And, be mindful to safeguard your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Here are a few useful ways to eliminate noise damage:
- When volume levels get too high, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Refrain from cranking up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. Most cellphones feature built-in warnings when you’re approaching a harmful threshold.
- Wearing ear protection when loud situations are inescapable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s okay but don’t forget your hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs give ample protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Your hearing can only be properly assessed by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
Hearing loss generally builds over time. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is extremely important when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- We will give you customized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-associated health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss in spite of the fact that there’s no cure. The correct treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and prevent it from becoming worse.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and engage in hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the correct measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come!