Isn’t pizza interesting? You can adjust the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses on it, but as long as it satisfies a few basic factors, it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different issues, loud noises, genetics, age, or ear obstructions, but as long as you have a hard time detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Limiting the damage is the first thing you should do when confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some basic measures to limit further damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s your inner ears that we’re worried about here, regarding hearing health, not the back of your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Earwax buildup also impedes the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. This may make it seem as though your hearing is worsening.
- Sound waves going to your ears can be blocked when a substantial amount of earwax accumulates. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your risk of getting an ear infection is elevated if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can cause inflammation which will impede your hearing. Your hearing will usually go back to normal after the infection is gone.
If you find earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can lead to damage and will typically worsen the situation. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged instead.
Tip 2: Really loud sounds should be averted
This is so obvious that it sort of goes without saying. The problem is that most people are hard-pressed to characterize what a “loud noise” actually is. A highway, for instance, can be loud enough that over a long period of time, it can damage your ears. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears, as well. As you can tell, it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some useful ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- Wearing hearing protection when loud settings are unavoidable. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s awesome. But you need to use the appropriate ear protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs supply sufficient protection.
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to tunes. The majority of phones offer built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous threshold.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when decibel levels get to hazardous thresholds.
There’s a slow advancement to hearing loss that’s a result of loud sound. So don’t just assume that your hearing is okay after a noisy event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you determine if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: Manage any hearing loss you may have
In most cases, hearing loss accumulates gradually over an extended time period. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. When it comes to hearing loss, that’s why treatment is so essential. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and implement it.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by using hearing aids. If you’re wearing hearing aids, for example, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- Hearing loss-related health conditions that are exacerbated by social isolation and brain strain can be prevented by wearing hearing aids.
- When you come in for a consultation we will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you steer clear of further damage to your ears.
Minimize hearing loss – it will help you in the long run
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are putting in hard work to help you prevent further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is typically one of the primary approaches to that. The correct treatment will help you protect your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance of healthy hearing in the years to come.