The first thing to do, when you begin to identify that you have hearing loss, is to prevent further damage. There are, after all, some straightforward steps you can take to safeguard your ears and limit further hearing loss.
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 worried about the space behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Over time, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax buildup can interfere with its function also. This might make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
- Unkempt ears increase your odds of getting an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when serious enough) interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will normally return.
- When wax buildup becomes significant, it can block sound from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
If you find earwax accumulation, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most instances, a cotton swab will worsen the situation or cause additional damage. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter decision.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so obvious. The problem is that most individuals aren’t entirely certain what a “loud noise” actually is. For example, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long time period. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. As you can tell, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When decibel levels get too high, an app on your phone can warn you of that.
- When you can’t steer clear of loud environments, use hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Going to a rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the required hearing protection. A perfect illustration would be earmuffs and earplugs.
- Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re listening to music or watching videos. Most phones have built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous threshold.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop abruptly, it progresses slowly. So if you’ve attended a noisy event, you could have done damage even if you don’t realize it. Only a hearing specialist can give your hearing a clean bill of health.
Step #3: Address Any Hearing Loss You Might Have
Generally speaking, hearing impairment is cumulative. So recognizing any damage early will go a long way to preventing added injury. So in terms of slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so essential. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you find and follow through on effective treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids prevent the brain strain and social solitude that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by wearing hearing aids. Hearing aids will, for instance, let you listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will counter further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
Decreasing Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Long Run
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent further damage. In many instances, hearing aids are one of the primary ways to achieve that. Getting the proper treatment will not only stop further damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
When you wear hearing protection, engage in good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the future.