The first thing to do, when you start to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to eliminate further damage. There are, in fact, some straightforward steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? With regards to hearing health, however, we aren’t 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:
- Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. You might end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- Your hearing can also be impeded if you get a serious ear infection which can also be a result of dirty ears. Your hearing will go back to normal after the ear infection clears.
You never resort to using a cotton swab to try and dig out excess earwax. Further damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will often make it even harder to hear. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. The problem is that most individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” actually is. For instance, freeway driving can be loud enough to damage your hearing over an extended time period. Your lawnmower motor can be rather taxing on your ears, too. As you can tell, it’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:
- Wearing hearing protection when loud environments can’t be avoided. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Going to see a rock concert? That’s great. Just wear the necessary ear protection. A perfect illustration would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When volume levels get too loud, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
- When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable volume. When dangerous levels are being reached, most phones come with a built in warning.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will develop gradually. So, even if your hearing “seems” good 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 specialist.
Step #3: Treat Any Hearing Loss You Might Have
In general, hearing loss is cumulative. So catching any damage early will go a long way to preventing added injury. That’s why getting treated is tremendously important in terms of limiting hearing loss. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you find and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Our guidance will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, let you listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, preventing damage. Because hearing aids counter this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
- The potential of developing hearing loss related health problems is diminished by wearing hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Decreasing Hearing Loss
Although it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop additional damage. In many cases, hearing aids are one of the main ways to accomplish that. Getting the proper treatment will not only stop additional damage but also keep your current hearing level intact.
When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the correct steps to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.
