Isn’t pizza great? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses concerned, but as long as it meets some basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s a result of an obstruction, age, loud noise, or anything else, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is usually the first thing to do when you start to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to safeguard your ears and limit further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Remember when your mom used to constantly ask “did you clean behind your ears”? In terms of hearing health, we aren’t concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Sound waves will have a harder time reaching your inner ear if you have significant buildup. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes reduced.
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be impacted over time by untreated hearing loss.
- Untidy ears increase your chances of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when severe enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will typically come back.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their functionality. If this occurs you might think that your hearing is getting even 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. You can get 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 is so intuitive it almost doesn’t need to be on this list. But identifying what comprises “loud sound” isn’t easy for most people. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears, highway driving can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears too. And when you’re out celebrating the 4th of July, be careful to protect your hearing!
Here are some practical ways to avoid noise damage:
- When decibel levels get too loud, you can use an app on your phone to let you know.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud setting, use ear protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just use the necessary ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs give ample protection.
- Avoid cranking up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. Most cellphones include built-in alerts when you’re approaching a harmful threshold.
The damage to your ears from loud noises 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 let you know if you have hearing loss.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, get it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. That’s why treatment is extremely crucial when it comes to restricting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you observe the treatment plan we will provide for you.
Treatment works like this:
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will provide personalized instructions and guidance to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to turn up the tv to dangerous volumes. Hearing can stop further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to prevent it. Treating your hearing loss properly will stop additional damage while maintaining your current degree 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 quality hygiene!