Isn’t pizza great? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few standard criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having trouble hearing sound, whether it’s caused by an obstruction, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is usually the first step to take when you start to detect hearing loss. This is just one basic measure you can take to protect your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But when it comes to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Your hearing can be helped in several ways by keeping your ears clear of earwax:
- Sound waves will have a harder time reaching your inner ear if you have significant buildup. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Your ability to hear can be obstructed by inflammation 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.
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functioning of your hearing aid if you use one. If this occurs you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- Your brain and your ability to interpret sounds can be affected over time by untreated hearing loss.
You should never try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This one should be fairly obvious. But determining what comprises “loud sound” isn’t easy for most people. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a loud highway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears too. And, be mindful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some practical ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- When volume levels get too high, you can use an app on your phone to let you know.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to music, watch your headphone volume. When you’re listening at harmful levels, most phones have built-in alerts.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, use hearing protection. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s fine but remember your ear protection. You can get plenty of protection from modern earplugs and earmuffs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Your hearing can only get a clean bill of health by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get 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 in terms of hearing loss, this is the reason why getting it treated is so important. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you observe the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with personalized advice and guidelines.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing can stop further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to prevent it. The correct treatment will help you preserve your present degree 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!
