Generally, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is try to minimize the damage. There are, in fact, some straightforward steps you can take to protect your hearing 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 space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free from wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your brain and ability to interpret sound will inevitably be impacted by untreated hearing loss.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a serious ear infection which can also be a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return.
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Earwax accumulation also inhibits the operation of your hearing aid if you have one. You might end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
You never resort to using a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. Further damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will frequently make it even harder to hear. Alternatively, 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 individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:
- Staying away from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a dangerous threshold.
- Using hearing protection when loud environments can’t be avoided. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Going to see a rock concert? That’s great. Just use the required ear protection. A perfect illustration would be earmuffs and earplugs.
- Utilizing an app on your phone to warn you when decibel levels reach hazardous thresholds.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop suddenly, it progresses gradually. So if you’ve been to a loud event, you could have done damage even if you don’t notice it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing professional.
Step #3: Address Any Hearing Loss You May Have
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So recognizing any damage early will help prevent added injury. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to decreasing hearing loss. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also stop further deterioration of your hearing.
- We can give personalized guidelines and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health problems is reduced by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social solitude and brain strain.
Decreasing Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Future
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the principal ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. Getting the proper treatment will not only prevent additional damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
Your giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the correct treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.