Normally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to limit the damage. After all, you can take some basic actions to avoid additional damage and safeguard your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those first hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about keeping clean when it comes to hearing health, not behind the ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Your hearing can also be interfered with if you get a serious ear infection which can also be a result of dirty ears. Your hearing will return to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be affected by neglected hearing loss.
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. You may end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
If you find earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not advisable that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real issue for most people. Over an extended time period, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing impairment.
Here are a few ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you can’t steer clear of noisy settings, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Going to see a rock concert? That’s great. Just use the necessary ear protection. A perfect example would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When volume levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- Staying away from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will build up gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” fine after a noisy event, it may not be. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Get it Addressed
Hearing loss accumulates most of the time. So catching any damage early will go a long way to preventing added injury. That’s why getting treated is extremely important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you seek out and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health problems is diminished by using hearing aids because they minimize social solitude and brain strain.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further decline of your hearing.
- Our advice will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
You Will be Benefited in The Future by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Even though it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent further damage. In many instances, hearing aids are one of the main ways to achieve that. Getting the correct treatment will not only prevent additional damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the correct measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.