Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is try to control the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Remember learning to be certain you clean behind your ears when you learned basic hygiene (or at least should have learned). With regards to hearing health, though, we aren’t concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are numerous ways that keeping your ears free of wax can help your hearing:
- When wax accumulation becomes significant, it can stop sound from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your hearing becomes weakened.
- Your brain and ability to interpret sound will ultimately be impacted by untreated hearing loss.
- Earwax buildup also inhibits the functionality of your hearing aid if you have one. You may end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Untidy ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which causes inflammation that (when severe enough) interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally return.
You never turn to using a cotton swab to try and dig out built up earwax. Further damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often worsen your ability to hear. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be listed. The problem is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. Over a long period of time, for instance, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. As you can tell, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are a few ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable volume. When dangerous levels are being reached, most phones come with a built in warning.
- Wearing ear protection when noisy environments can’t be avoided. Does your job put you on the floor of a loud manufacturing plant? Going to see a rock concert? That’s fun. Just wear the correct ear protection. A perfect illustration would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- Making use of an app on your phone to notify you when volume levels reach harmful thresholds.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will develop slowly. So if you’ve attended a noisy event, you may have done damage even if you don’t detect it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing specialist.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Addressed
Hearing loss accumulates most of the time. So catching any damage early will help prevent additional injury. That’s why getting treated is extremely important when it comes to stopping hearing loss. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health issues.
- We can provide personalized instructions and advice to help you prevent added damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Hearing aids will counter further degeneration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
You Will be Benefited in The Future by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the principal ways to do that, in many situations, is hearing aids. The correct treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you wear hearing protection, engage in good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the proper measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.