Isn’t pizza cool? 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. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s a result of a blockage, age, loud noise, or whatever else, it’s still hearing loss.
Stopping the damage is normally the first thing to do when you begin to detect hearing loss. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your ears and control further hearing loss.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? When it involves hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildups can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your ability to hear can be hampered by inflammation which is caused by profound ear infection as a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection clears up, your normal hearing will usually return.
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be impacted over time by neglected hearing loss.
- If you use hearing aids, earwax will also impede their functionality. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can stop sound waves from getting into your inner ear. Your hearing becomes jeopardized as a result.
You should not ever try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause added damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss
This one is so instinctive it almost doesn’t need to be on the list. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. There are lots of dangers to your hearing in day-to-day life including things as common as driving on a loud highway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears too. And when you’re out remembering the 4th of July, be mindful to protect your hearing!
Here are some useful ways to eliminate noise damage:
- Avoid turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to tunes. When you’re listening at unsafe levels, most phones have built-in alerts.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches damaging levels.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud setting, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the correct ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing feels fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a slow progression. Your hearing can only be properly assessed by a hearing specialist.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated
Hearing loss generally accumulates over time. So you’ll be better able to avoid further harm if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is incredibly important when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Mental strain, social withdrawal, and other hearing loss-associated health problems can be prevented by hearing aids.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re not likely to crank up the tv to harmful volumes. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with personalized advice and guidelines.
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 primary ways to prevent it. The correct treatment will help you maintain your current degree of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
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!