Isn’t pizza great? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets some standard criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. As long as you are having trouble hearing sound, whether it’s caused by an obstruction, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to stop the damage. There are, after all, some easy steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those original hygiene instructions you learn (or should have learned), right? When it comes to hearing health, we aren’t worried about the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax accumulation can help your hearing in numerous different ways:
- Over time, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop sound waves from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Your ability to hear can be impeded 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 typically return.
- If you use hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their functionality. This might make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
You should not ever attempt to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. Cotton swabs can push the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could lead to hearing loss
This one should be fairly intuitive. But determining what constitutes “loud sound” is not easy for most individuals. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a loud highway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears as well. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be careful to safeguard your hearing!
Here are a few practical ways to eliminate noise damage:
- Using ear protection when loud situations are unavoidable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a loud factory that’s okay but remember your ear protection. You can get enough protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
- Avoid turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When you’re listening at unsafe volumes, most phones have built-in alerts.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches dangerous levels.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” good after a loud 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, get it treated
Hearing loss generally accumulates over time. So you’ll be in a better position to prevent further harm if you catch it early. So in terms of hearing loss, this is why getting it treated is so crucial. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to crank up the tv to dangerous volumes. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- Brain strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-related health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will provide personalized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss properly will prevent further damage while maintaining your present degree of hearing.
When you use hearing protection, practice quality hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the best steps to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!