The first thing to do, when you start to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to eliminate further damage. After all, you can take some easy measures to stop additional damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those initial hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? With regards to hearing health, however, we aren’t concerned with the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free of wax can assist your hearing:
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can prevent sound from getting into your inner ear. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Untidy ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which produces inflammation that (when serious enough) interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will go back to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Your brain and ability to interpret sound will ultimately be impacted by untreated hearing loss.
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This might make it seem like your hearing is getting worse.
You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. Additional damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often worsen your ability to hear. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real issue for most individuals. Over a long period of time, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, also. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing impairment.
Some practical ways to stay away from harmful noises include:
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones include built-in warnings when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
- Wearing hearing protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Going to see a rock concert? That’s fun. But be sure to wear the proper protection for your ears. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply abundant protection.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will develop slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine 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 Treated
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent additional damage. That’s why treatment is extremely important in terms of decreasing hearing loss. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you seek out and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for instance, allow you to listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, avoiding damage. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further decline of your hearing.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is reduced by using hearing aids because they minimize social isolation and brain strain.
- Our advice will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
Limiting Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Long Run
Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the primary ways to do that, in many situations, is hearing aids. The correct 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 using ear protection, getting the correct treatment, and exercising good hearing hygiene.