Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, 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.
Frequently, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is attempt to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some basic steps to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re concerned with here, regarding hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are a number of ways that earwax buildup can impact your hearing:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This might make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Unclean ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that when significant enough, disrupts your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears up, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct 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 sounds should be averted
This is so evident that it sort of goes without saying. But what exactly comprises a “loud sound”? A highway, for instance, can be loud enough that over a long time period, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Some practical ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- When you need to be in a loud environment, 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 should use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get adequate protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes reach unsafe levels.
- When you’re listening to tunes or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will accumulate gradually. So don’t just assume that your hearing is fine 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: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In most situations, hearing loss develops slowly over a long time period. You’ll be in a better position to protect against further damage if you identify your hearing loss early. In terms of hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so important. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible situation.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always have to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by supplying you with personalized instructions when you come in for a consultation.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
While we know that hearing loss has no cure, hearing specialists are working hard to limit further damage to your hearing. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be preserved and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
When you use ear protection, practice good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct steps to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.
