Generally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to control the damage. After all, you can take some simple measures to avoid further damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those initial hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re concerned with keeping clean in terms of hearing health, rather than behind the ears.
There are several ways that keeping your ears free of wax can assist your hearing:
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function also. You may end up thinking that your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be impacted by neglected hearing loss.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a serious ear infection which can also be caused by unclean ears. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually return.
- When wax buildup becomes substantial, it can prevent sound from reaching your inner ear. Consequently, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
You never resort to using a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Over the counter ear drops are a better idea.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be listed. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real problem for most individuals. Over an extended time period, for instance, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Your lawnmower motor can be pretty taxing on your ears, too. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing loss.
Here are a few ways to avoid damaging noise:
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- When you can’t steer clear of loud 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 fun. But be sure to use the appropriate protection for your hearing. A perfect example would be earmuffs and earplugs.
- Refraining from cranking the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones include built-in warnings when you’re approaching a dangerous threshold.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will build up slowly. So if you’ve been to a loud event, you might have done damage even if you don’t realize it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Get it Addressed
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to stopping hearing loss, treatment is so important. Practical treatments (that you follow through with) will put your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, let you listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, avoiding damage. Hearing aids will counter additional degeneration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
- Our advice 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 exacerbate hearing loss-related health issues.
Decreasing Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Future
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help prevent further damage. In many situations, hearing aids are one of the top ways to achieve that. Getting the correct treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
When you use hearing protection, engage in good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the future.