Pizza is an interesting thing. You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and limit additional hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? With regards to hearing health, we’re not worried about the places behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Unkempt ears raise your chances of getting an ear infection, which creates swelling that when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your hearing will normally go back to normal after the infection is gone.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can block soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes decreased.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This may give you the impression that your hearing is going.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you poke around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will almost always worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended as an alternative.
Tip 2: Stay away from loud noises that could contribute to hearing loss
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? A freeway, for instance, can be noisy enough that over an extended time period, it can damage your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are a number of ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a loud factory? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s awesome. Just use the required ear protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in warning.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
There’s a gradual development to hearing loss that’s due to loud sound. So don’t simply assume that your hearing is okay after a loud event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop additional damage. That’s why treatment is tremendously important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- We will help you stay clear of additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you over the long haul
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the primary approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.