Usually, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to control the damage. There are, after all, some straightforward measures you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Remember learning to make sure you clean behind your ears when you learned basic hygiene (or at least should have learned). In terms of hearing health, however, we aren’t worried about the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
There are several ways that keeping your ears clear of wax can help your hearing:
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when severe enough) impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will normally come back.
- Earwax accumulation also inhibits the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. You may end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be listed. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real problem for most individuals. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long time period. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. Obviously, it’s more than rock concerts or loud speakers that cause hearing damage.
Some useful ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- Wearing ear protection when noisy environments can’t be avoided. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Going to a rock concert? That’s fun. But be sure to use the proper protection for your hearing. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.
- Utilizing an app on your phone to alert you when volume levels reach hazardous thresholds.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. Most phones have built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous threshold.
The damage to your hearing from loud sounds will develop slowly. So, even if your hearing “seems” okay 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 professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Addressed
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So recognizing any damage early on will help prevent additional injury. That’s why treatment is tremendously important when it comes to decreasing hearing loss. Practical treatments (that you follow through with) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. Hearing aids will, for instance, allow you to listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will counter additional degeneration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- We can provide individualized guidelines and advice to help you avoid added damage to your hearing.
- Hearing aids minimize the brain strain and social solitude that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
Limiting Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future
Even though it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent further damage. One of the principal ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. Getting the correct treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
Your giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing into the future by using ear protection, getting the proper treatment, and practicing good hearing hygiene.