Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as a few criteria are met, you can switch toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. Hearing loss is a lot like that. But as long as you have difficulty hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss regardless of whether it’s caused by genetic factors, age, blockages, or exposure to loud noise.
Normally, when you’re facing hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. You can, after all, take some simple measures to limit further damage and protect your ears.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
When you were a kid, you most likely were taught that you need to wash behind your ears. But it’s your inner ears that we’re concerned with here, in terms of hearing health, not behind your ears.
There are various ways that earwax buildup can affect your hearing:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax can also interfere with that. This may make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be impeded when a significant amount of earwax builds up. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause swelling which will impede your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your regular hearing will normally come back (but that’s something you should consult a doctor about).
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause damage and will usually worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Very loud sounds should be avoided
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that the majority of people are hard-pressed to determine what a “loud noise” really is. For example, highway travel can be loud enough to harm your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be damaged by regular usage of your lawn mower. Clearly, other things besides rock concerts or blaring speakers can damage your ears.
Here are some ways to steer clear of loud, harmful noises.:
- Abstaining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When approaching dangerous levels, most headphones have a built-in alert.
- When decibel levels become dangerously loud, you can utilize an app on your phone to alert you.
- Using hearing protection when noisy settings are unavoidable. Do you work on the floor of a noisy factory? It’s fine if you want to go to that rock concert. But you should use the appropriate hearing protection. You can get plenty of protection with modern earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will accumulate gradually. So don’t simply presume that your hearing is fine after a loud event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you find out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Address any hearing loss you might have
In most instances, hearing loss accumulates gradually over an extended time period. You’ll be in a better position to protect against additional damage if you recognize your hearing loss early on. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to minimizing hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing loss-related health problems that are exacerbated by social solitude and brain strain can be avoided by using hearing aids.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide individualized guidance and advice to help you steer clear of additional damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be stopped by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking the volume of your television up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
In the long run, you will be helped by wearing hearing aids
Despite the fact that we can’t cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you prevent additional damage. In many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the primary ways to achieve that. Your current level of hearing will be maintained and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the correct treatment.
You’re taking the correct steps to limit hearing loss and put yourself in the best situation to continue to have healthy hearing if you practice good hygiene, use ear protection, and come see us for regular hearing exams.