The first thing to do, when you start to identify that you have hearing loss, is to prevent further damage. After all, you can take some basic actions to prevent 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? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about cleaning in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- When wax accumulation becomes severe, it can stop sound from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This may make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a serious ear infection which can also be caused by unclean ears. Your hearing will go back to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Over time, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s definitely 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. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter decision.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. But determining how loud is too loud is the real difficulty for most individuals. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long time period. The motor on your lawnmower can be fairly taxing on your ears, also. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When volume levels get too high, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable volume. Most phones have built-in alerts when you’re approaching a dangerous level.
- When you can’t steer clear of loud environments, use hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fun. Just use the required ear protection. A perfect illustration would be earmuffs and earplugs.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop suddenly, it progresses slowly. So if you’ve attended a noisy event, you could have done damage even if you don’t realize it. Only a hearing professional can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Addressed
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be capable of preventing further damage. So in terms of stopping hearing loss, treatment is so essential. Effective treatments (that you follow through with) will keep your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is reduced by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing aids will prevent additional degeneration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- We can provide personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid added damage to your ears.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, additional damage can be prevented with treatment. One of the primary ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. The correct treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come.