Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can change toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetic factors, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Minimizing the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any type. There are, after all, some basic steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
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? When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the places behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can improve your hearing in several different ways:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make it seem as though your hearing is diminishing.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a significant amount of earwax accumulates. When this happens you won’t be able to hear as well.
A cotton swab is definitely not the right tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will usually worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are recommended instead.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud sounds that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” really is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, as well. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, damaging noises.:
- When you have to be in a noisy setting, use hearing protection. Are you working on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the necessary ear protection. You can get enough protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. The majority of phones offer 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 dangerous levels.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. We can only help you find out 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 stop additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to minimizing hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized guidance when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are worsened by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by wearing hearing aids.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television 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 can’t cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you minimize additional damage. In many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the best ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
You’re taking the correct steps 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.