Usually, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. After all, you can take some basic measures to prevent further damage and safeguard your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? When it comes to hearing health, though, we’re not worried about the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free from wax can help your hearing:
- In the long run, untreated hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- Your hearing can also be interfered with if you get a severe ear infection which can also be a result of unclean ears. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually come back.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax accumulation can hinder its function also. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
You never resort to using a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. Additional damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will often worsen your ability to hear. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter choice.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. The problem is that most people aren’t entirely certain what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over an extended time period. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or loud speakers that cause hearing damage.
Some practical ways to escape damaging noises include:
- When you can’t avoid loud environments, use hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s fun. Just wear the required ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep your headphone volume at a manageable volume. Most phones include built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous threshold.
- When volume levels get too high, an app on your phone can warn you of that.
The damage to your hearing from loud sounds will develop slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” okay after a loud event, that doesn’t mean it is. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing specialist.
Step #3: Treat Any Hearing Impairment You May Have
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so important. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you seek out and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health problems is diminished by using hearing aids because they prevent social solitude and brain strain.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For instance, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further deterioration of your hearing.
- We can provide individualized instructions and advice to help you prevent added damage to your ears.
Limiting Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Long Run
Although it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop further damage. In many instances, hearing aids are one of the principal ways to achieve that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and stop it from worsening.
When you wear hearing protection, exercise good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the proper measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the years to come.
