Normally, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is try to limit the damage. There are, after all, some simple measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
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? With regards to hearing health, however, we’re not concerned with the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free from wax can assist your hearing:
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when serious enough) impedes your ability to hear. Your hearing will go back to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can stop sound from reaching your inner ear. As a result, your hearing becomes diminished.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax accumulation can hinder its function also. You may end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the situation or cause additional damage. Alternatively, 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 difficulty for most individuals. Over an extended period of time, for instance, your ears can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:
- When you can’t avoid loud environments, use hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a loud manufacturing plant? Going to see a rock concert? That’s cool. But be certain to use the proper protection for your hearing. Contemporary earplugs and earmuffs provide ample protection.
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. When hazardous levels are being reached, most phones feature a built in warning.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will build up slowly. So if you’ve attended a loud event, you may have done damage even if you don’t realize it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Treated
Generally speaking, hearing impairment is cumulative. So recognizing any damage early will help prevent added injury. That’s why getting treated is tremendously important when it comes to limiting hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will keep your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids minimize the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it damages your ears. Hearing aids will counter additional deterioration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
Limiting Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future
Although we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the primary ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. The right treatment will help you maintain your current level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
Your allowing yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.