Generally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to control the damage. After all, you can take some simple steps to prevent additional damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those initial hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re concerned with keeping clean when it comes to hearing health, rather than behind the ears.
Keeping your ears free from wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be affected by neglected hearing loss.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function as well. This might make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Untidy ears increase your odds of developing an ear infection, which produces inflammation that (when serious enough) interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will normally come back.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Further damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will frequently 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 on the list. The issue is that most people aren’t entirely certain what a “loud noise” actually is. As an example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your hearing over an extended time period. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you can’t avoid loud environments, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Going to a rock concert? That’s great. Just use the necessary ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- Making use of an app on your phone to notify you when decibel levels get to unsafe levels.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable volume. When hazardous volumes are being approached, most phones come with a built in warning.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will build up slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” okay after a noisy event, it may not be. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Treated
Hearing impairment accumulates most of the time. So catching any damage early on will help prevent additional injury. So in terms of stopping hearing loss, treatment is so important. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Hearing aids will prevent further degeneration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- The potential of developing hearing loss related health issues is diminished by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
Decreasing Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, additional damage can be prevented with treatment. One of the principal ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. Getting the necessary treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
Your allowing yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing into the future by using ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.
