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 also like this. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s due to a blockage, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Typically, when you first notice hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some basic 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 worried about the space behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in numerous different ways:
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functioning of your hearing aid if you use one. This might make it seem like your hearing is worsening.
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can block sound waves from getting into your inner ear. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
- Your brain and your ability to interpret sounds can be impacted over time by neglected hearing loss.
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by swelling which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will typically come back.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local drugstore which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one should be fairly intuitive. But determining what constitutes “loud sound” isn’t very easy for most people. it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears, freeway driving can be noisy enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by things like your lawn mower engine. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be careful to protect your hearing!
Some useful ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- When you can’t prevent being in a loud setting, wear ear protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s fine. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs give ample protection.
- Avoid turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to tunes. When you’re listening at dangerous volumes, most phones have built-in alerts.
- When decibel levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is often a gradual progression. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to hearing loss, this is why having it treated is so crucial. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you follow the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- We will provide individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the mental strain and social separation that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Treatment is one of the main ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there is no cure. 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 opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!