Isn’t pizza cool? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is also like this. Symptoms and manifestations are due to many different problems – loud noises, genetics, age, ear obstructions – but as long as you have difficulty hearing sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you first notice hearing loss (regardless of the type), the first thing you need to do is attempt to stop the damage. This is just one simple step you can take to safeguard your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your parents used to always ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But when it comes to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in numerous different ways:
- Sound waves will have a harder time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial accumulation. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Your ability to hear can be obstructed by inflammation which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will usually come back.
- Your brain and your ability to interpret sounds can be affected over time by neglected hearing loss.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. 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: Try to avoid loud noises that could cause hearing loss
This one should be pretty obvious. The problem is that most individuals have no clue what a “loud noise” actually is. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Your ears can also be damaged by things like your lawn mower engine. And, be careful to safeguard your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Here are a few useful ways to eliminate noise damage:
- When you can’t prevent being in a loud environment, use ear protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
- When volume levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- When you’re streaming movies or listening to tunes, keep the headphone volume down. Most cellphones have built-in warnings when you’re nearing a dangerous level.
So if you go to a loud event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a gradual progression. Your hearing can only be properly assessed by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
Hearing loss generally accumulates over time. So you’ll be better able to prevent further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is very crucial when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from turning your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- Hearing aids prevent the mental strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
- We will provide customized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
Treatment is one of the primary ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there’s no cure. Treating your hearing loss appropriately will stop additional damage while protecting your current degree of hearing.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the correct steps to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!