The first thing to do, when you begin to identify that you have hearing loss, is to avoid added damage. After all, you can take some easy measures to avoid further damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Remember learning to be certain you clean behind your ears when you learned basic hygiene (or at least should have learned). With regards to hearing health, however, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free of wax can help your hearing:
- Untidy ears raise your odds of developing an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when severe enough) interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal after the ear infection clears.
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. You might end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This reduces your ability to hear.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out excess earwax. Additional damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often make it even harder to hear. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter idea.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. The problem is that most individuals aren’t entirely certain what a “loud noise” actually is. Over a long period of time, for example, your ears can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, too. As you can tell, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Some practical ways to escape harmful noises include:
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. When harmful volumes are being approached, most phones come with a built in warning.
- Using an app on your phone to notify you when volume levels reach unsafe levels.
- When you can’t avoid noisy environments, wear hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the correct ear protection. A perfect illustration would be earmuffs and earplugs.
The damage to your ears from loud sounds will develop slowly. So if you’ve been to a noisy event, you could have done damage even if you don’t notice it. Only a hearing specialist can give your hearing a clean bill of health.
Step #3: Treat Any Hearing Impairment You Might Have
Hearing loss accumulates most of the time. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent additional damage. So in terms of slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so significant. Your hearing will be at the greatest advantage if you find and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. Hearing aids will, for instance, let you listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will counter further deterioration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is reduced by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
Decreasing Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future
Although we can’t cure hearing loss, further damage can be prevented with treatment. In many situations, hearing aids are one of the principal ways to accomplish that. Getting the correct treatment will not only stop further damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
Your allowing yourself the best chance for healthy hearing into the future by using ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.