Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) regardless of the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is similar. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Typically, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the type), the first thing you should do is try to stop the damage. This is just one basic measure you can take to safeguard your hearing from further harm.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those original hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But in terms of the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Your hearing can be helped in several ways by keeping your ears clear of earwax:
- If you use hearing aids, earwax will also impede their operation. This could make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can block sound waves from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by inflammation which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will typically return.
You should never try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. Cotton swabs can push the earwax further up into the ear canal and can trigger even more damage. You can buy earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. But determining what comprises “loud sound” is not easy for most individuals. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your hearing, freeway driving can be noisy enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears also. And, be mindful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some useful ways to avoid harmful noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels reach hazardous thresholds.
- When you’re watching movies or listening to tunes, keep the headphone volume down. When you’re listening at hazardous levels, most phones have built-in warnings.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud environment, use hearing protection. If you want to attend a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s okay but remember your ear protection. You can get plenty of protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” fine after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated
Hearing loss typically builds over time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you stick to the treatment plan we will provide for you.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to crank the tv up to harmful volumes. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids prevent the mental strain and social separation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with individualized advice and guidelines.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss in spite of the fact that there’s no cure. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will stop further damage while protecting your present level of hearing.
In the years to come you will be giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!