Pizza is an interesting thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it satisfies a few general factors, it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, obstructions, 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. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit additional damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
When you were younger, you probably learned that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not the back of your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax accumulation can affect your hearing:
- Unkempt ears raise your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will usually return (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This could make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from getting into your inner ear. When this happens 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. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. As an alternative, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be avoided
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. But what precisely constitutes a “loud sound”? A highway, for example, can be noisy enough that over an extended time period, it can harm your ears. The engine on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears, also. As you can tell, it isn’t only blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- When you need to be in a noisy setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But you need to use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep the volume of your headphones at safe levels. The majority of phones feature built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous limit.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to unsafe thresholds.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. 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
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. You’ll be in a better position to protect against additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of minimizing hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best position if you get treatment and implement it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- We will help you stay clear of additional damage to your ears by providing you with individualized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from turning your television volume up so loud it becomes harmful. This will prevent further noise-related damage.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
Although we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you limit additional damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the best approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you use hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the proper steps to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.