Pizza is an interesting thing. You can change the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses concerned, but as long as it meets a few basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s also like hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are caused by many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear blockages – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.
Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (regardless of the type), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. This is only one basic step you can take to protect your hearing from further harm.
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 concerned with the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildups can help your hearing in a few different ways:
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time getting into your inner ear if you have significant accumulation. As a result, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Your ability to hear can be impeded by inflammation which is caused by severe ear infection as a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will typically return.
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. This may make it seem like your hearing is worsening.
- After a while, untreated hearing loss affects your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can push the earwax further up into the ear canal and can cause even more harm. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could lead to hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be fairly intuitive. But determining what comprises “loud sound” isn’t easy for most individuals. There are many dangers to your hearing in everyday life including things as common as driving on a loud freeway every day over long periods. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty straining on your ears also. And, be careful to protect your hearing during those 4th of July fireworks!
Here are a few practical ways to avoid noise damage:
- Wearing hearing protection when loud environments are inescapable. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fine. Just use the necessary ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs give ample protection.
- Refrain from cranking up the volume on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. Most cellphones feature built-in warnings when you’re getting close to a harmful threshold.
- Using an app on your phone to let you know when the volume reaches harmful thresholds.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” good after a noisy event, that doesn’t mean it is. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: Treat any hearing loss you might have
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to prevent further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is very essential when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you observe the treatment plan we will lay out for you.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social separation that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. With a hearing aid, you’re unlikely to crank the tv up to dangerous volumes. Because hearing aids stop this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- We will help you avoid further damage by supplying you with customized advice and instructions.
In the long run you will be benefited by wearing hearing aids
While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, in many circumstances, hearing loss treatment is one of the main ways to prevent it. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.
In the years to come you will be giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice quality hygiene!