Autumn brings in its own compelling sounds you won’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching under your feet, and kids laughing and playing. Now imagine how much less pleasant your fall experience will be if those sounds begin to fade away.
Hearing issues can put a damper on your autumn experiences, but the good news is, many hearing issues can be avoided or managed with simple safeguards. By taking hands-on steps to protect your hearing, you can ensure you don’t miss the sound of this fall’s magic.
Safeguard your hearing from loud noises
The most prevalent cause of both permanent and temporary hearing loss is exposure to loud sounds. Exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) can compromise the sensitive structures of your inner ear, resulting in hearing impairment.
Harmful noise – some common sources
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
- Sirens: 120 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
Occasionally attending a loud event can lead to hearing loss that is usually temporary and will clear up over a day or two. Recurring exposure to loud noises, like attending concerts regularly, or listening to loud audio on headphones every day, can cause more permanent hearing loss.
Guidelines for safeguarding your ears in autumn
- Turn down your headphones: In order to counter damage, listen at a lower volume level and reduce headphone usage.
- Wear earplugs at events: If you attend outdoor concerts or Halloween parties, use earplugs to decrease the volume without muting the experience.
- Avoid sitting beside loudspeakers: While getting right up close to the action may be enticing, the volume level right beside the loudspeakers is harmfully loud and can absolutely damage your hearing.
Keeping your ears healthy when it’s cold out
Remember to protect your ears from the cold as temperatures drop. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your hearing, leaving you vulnerable to ear infections. Adults are just as susceptible to ear infections as children, especially when exposed to cold and windy conditions.
Why ear infections are dangerous
Cold air can cause swelling and fluid buildup in the middle ear, resulting in discomfort, pain, and temporary hearing loss. If an ear infection is neglected, it can affect both your hearing health and your overall health, leading to more serious health issues.
Protecting your ears when it’s cold
- Pay attention to symptoms: Get evaluated and treated by a healthcare provider immediately if you experience sudden hearing loss, have pain in your ear, or have any fluid draining from your ear.
- Wear ear protection: Keep your ears warm by completely covering them with a hat, earmuffs, or a headband.
Safe ear cleaning tips
While earwax is usually viewed as a nuisance, it plays a critical role in keeping your ears healthy by capturing dust, debris, and insects. However, too much earwax can block your ear canal and result in substantial issues.
Many individuals use cotton swabs to clean their ears, but this common habit can actually pack the wax further into your ear canal, causing blockages and even damaging the ear. Better cleaning solutions include:
- Consult a professional: Come in to see us if you suspect you may have a wax blockage or if you’re unsure how to best clean your ears. We can prevent further problems by making use of specialized tools to safely clear out the earwax.
- Hydrogen peroxide drops: Use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or an over-the-counter earwax solution to soften and clear out excess wax. Let the solution sit for several minutes, then tilt your head to allow it to drain.
Medication-related hearing problems
Hearing issues are one of the unforeseen side effects of some medications. Your hearing can be impaired by some common medications, including diuretics, antibiotics, and large doses of aspirin.
If you observe changes in your hearing after starting a new medication, it’s important to contact your physician. They can identify whether your hearing loss is connected to the medication and advise you on the best course of action.
Take action at the first sign of hearing loss
Seasonal activities in autumn are full of wonderful sounds, and the ability to hear them clearly is something you don’t want to lose. If you detect any changes in your hearing, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us for a thorough assessment.