Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets some basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s caused by a blockage, age, loud noise, or anything else, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is normally the first step to take when you start to notice hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? When it involves hearing health, we’re not concerned with the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Your hearing can be benefited in a number of ways by keeping your ears clear of earwax:
- Your ability to hear can be impeded by swelling which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of unclean ears. Your normal hearing will typically come back when then the infection clears up.
- Your brain and your ability to interpret sounds can be affected over time by neglected hearing loss.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their operation. If this happens you may think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can block sound waves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. You can buy earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local drugstore which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could lead to hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. The problem is that most people have no clue what a “loud noise” really is. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears, freeway driving can be noisy enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears as well. And, be mindful to safeguard your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some useful ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- When you can’t prevent being in a loud environment, use hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just use the correct ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
- When you’re streaming movies or listening to tunes, keep the headphone volume down. Most cellphones include built-in alerts when you’re getting close to a harmful level.
- When volume levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to let you know.
So if you go to a loud event and your hearing feels fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is incredibly crucial when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you follow the treatment plan we will provide for you.
Here’s how treatments work:
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with individualized advice and guidelines.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many situations, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to prevent it. The appropriate treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and prevent it from becoming worse.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice quality hygiene!