Isn’t pizza great? As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) regardless of the toppings, it’s still pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues – loud noises, genetics, age, ear obstructions – but as long as you have trouble detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to detect hearing loss. This is only one simple step you can take to protect your hearing from further harm.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Remember when your mom used to always ask “did you clean behind your ears”? But in terms of the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re concerned with.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Earwax accumulation also impedes the functioning of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem as if your hearing is worsening.
- Your ability to hear can be impeded by swelling which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will typically come back.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time reaching your inner ear if you have significant accumulation. Your hearing becomes compromised as a result.
- After a while, untreated hearing loss impacts your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
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 cause even more harm. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local drugstore which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. But defining what constitutes “loud sound” isn’t easy for most individuals. There are many hazards to your hearing in everyday life and that includes things as common as driving on a loud freeway every day over long periods. 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!
Some useful ways to steer clear of damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches hazardous levels.
- Refrain from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. When you’re listening at unsafe volumes, most phones have built-in warnings.
- Using hearing protection when noisy conditions are not avoidable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s okay but don’t forget your ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide ample protection.
So if you go to a loud event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is often a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you may have
In general, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to avoid further harm if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is very essential when it comes to restricting hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible state.
Treatment works like this:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to turn the tv up to damaging volumes. Hearing can stop further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this kind of damage.
- We will provide individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss properly will stop further damage while maintaining your current level of hearing.
In the years to come you will be providing yourself with the best opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!