Normally, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. After all, you can take some basic measures to avoid 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? In terms of hearing health, however, we aren’t worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are several ways that keeping your ears clear of wax can help your hearing:
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. As a result, your hearing becomes diminished.
- Untidy ears raise your odds of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that (when serious enough) impedes your hearing. Your hearing will return to normal after the ear infection clears.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax accumulation can hinder its function also. This may make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out excess earwax. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the situation or cause additional damage. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter idea.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real issue for most individuals. Over a long time period, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. The motor on your lawnmower can be rather taxing on your ears, also. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or loud speakers that cause hearing loss.
Some practical ways to avoid damaging noises include:
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can warn you of that.
- Staying away from cranking the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. When hazardous levels are being reached, most phones have a built in warning.
- When you can’t avoid noisy settings, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Going to a rock concert? That’s great. But be certain to use the proper protection for your hearing. Modern earplugs and earmuffs provide ample protection.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop all of a sudden, it builds up gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” good after a noisy event, it may not be. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing specialist.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Get it Addressed
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be capable of preventing further damage. That’s why getting treated is extremely important in terms of decreasing hearing loss. Practical treatments (that you follow through with) will keep your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will prevent you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further decline of your hearing.
- Our advice will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health problems is reduced by wearing hearing aids because they minimize social isolation and brain strain.
Limiting Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Future
Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. In many situations, hearing aids are one of the main ways to achieve that. The appropriate treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.
Your giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and practicing good hearing hygiene.
