Typically, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some straightforward steps you can take to safeguard your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Remember learning to be certain you clean behind your ears when you learned general hygiene (or at least should have learned). But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about cleaning in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.
There are several ways that keeping your ears free of wax can help your hearing:
- In the long run, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax accumulation can interfere with its function as well. You might end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Untidy ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when serious enough) impedes your hearing. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally return.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to attempt to dig out built up earwax. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter choice.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real difficulty for most individuals. Over an extended time period, for example, 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 harm your ears.
Here are a few ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you can’t steer clear of noisy environments, use hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Going to see a rock concert? That’s great. Just wear the necessary hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply ample protection.
- When volume levels get too high, an app on your phone can notify you of that.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable volume. When dangerous levels are being reached, most phones have a built in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” good after a noisy 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 Loss You May Have
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent additional damage. That’s why getting treated is extremely important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s what you can expect:
- 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. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- The potential of developing hearing loss related health issues is reduced by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
- We can provide personalized guidelines and advice to help you avoid further damage to your hearing.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Even though it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent additional damage. One of the primary ways to do that, in many situations, is hearing aids. Getting the proper treatment will not only prevent further damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
Your allowing yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing into the future by using ear protection, getting the correct treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.