Pizza is a fascinating thing. You can switch the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few general criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. Symptoms and presentations are caused by numerous different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you need to do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize added hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you wash 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’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather inside of your ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can improve your hearing in several different ways:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a significant amount of earwax accumulates. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your risk of developing an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will obstruct your hearing. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will usually come back (but that’s something you should talk to a doctor about).
A cotton swab is definitely not the correct tool to use to get any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most situations, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause additional damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Steer clear of loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This is so evident that it kind of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. A highway, for example, can be noisy enough that over a long time period, it can damage your ears. Your ears can also be harmed by regular usage of your lawn mower. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes reach unsafe thresholds.
- Using ear protection when loud environments are necessary. Are you working on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. Just use the required ear protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
- When you’re listening to music or viewing videos, keep your headphone volume at safe levels. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
There’s a slow progression to hearing loss that’s caused by loud sound. So, even if your hearing “feels” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only if you come in for a hearing exam can we give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you might have
In most instances, hearing loss develops slowly over a long period of time. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important in terms of minimizing hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. This will counter further noise-related damage.
- We will help you avoid additional damage to your ears by providing you with personalized instructions when you come in for an assessment.
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, hearing specialists are focused on limiting further damage to your ears. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
When you wear hearing protection, maintain good hygiene, and get hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the future.
