Isn’t pizza fascinating? You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some basic measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize added 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? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will interfere with your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may give you the impression that your hearing is starting to fail.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be able to hear as well.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the right tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will usually worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be avoided
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be very straining on your ears, also. As you can tell, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you need to be in a loud setting, utilize hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But use the required hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide sufficient protection.
- When decibel levels get to a dangerous volume, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you’re listening to tunes or watching videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. Most phones offer built-in warnings when you’re nearing a hazardous threshold.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up gradually. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is okay after a loud event, even if it feels fine. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you might have
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop additional damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of minimizing 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. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- When you come in and see us we will give you personalized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are worsened by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by wearing hearing aids.
Limit hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Even though we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you limit additional damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to accomplish that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
You’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss and put yourself in the best position to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, utilize ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing tests.