Pizza is an interesting thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses involved, but as long as it meets some basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s also like hearing loss. As long as you are having difficulty hearing sound, whether it’s caused by a blockage, age, loud noise, or anything else, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to detect hearing loss. This is only one basic step you can take to protect your hearing from further damage.
Tip 1: Clean your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those original hygiene instructions you learn (or should have learned), right? In terms of hearing health, we aren’t worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Your hearing can be benefited in numerous ways by keeping your ears free of earwax:
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial accumulation. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Unkempt ears boost your risk of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return.
- Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be affected over time by untreated hearing loss.
- If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also interfere with their operation. If this occurs you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most situations, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause added damage. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one is so instinctive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The challenge is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. There are many dangers to your hearing in day-to-day life and that includes things as common as driving on a noisy highway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears also. And, be careful to safeguard your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Some useful ways to steer clear of damaging noises include:
- Avoid cranking the volume up on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. Most cellphones include built-in warnings when you’re approaching a hazardous threshold.
- Wearing ear protection when loud environments are unavoidable. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the necessary ear protection. You can get plenty of protection from contemporary earplugs and earmuffs.
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when decibel levels reach damaging thresholds.
So if you go to a noisy event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is often a gradual progression. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
Hearing loss generally builds over time. So you’ll be better able to avoid further harm if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is extremely crucial when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social separation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health issues.
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this kind of damage.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with personalized advice and guidelines.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, in many instances, hearing loss treatment is one of the principal 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 giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice good hygiene!
