The first thing to do, when you start to identify that you have hearing loss, is to eliminate further damage. After all, you can take some easy actions to prevent additional damage and protect your ears.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
Remember learning to make sure you clean behind your ears when you learned basic hygiene (or at least should have learned). But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about keeping clean in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.
There are multiple ways that keeping your ears free from wax can help your hearing:
- Unkempt ears increase your odds of getting an ear infection, which causes inflammation that (when severe enough) interferes with your hearing. Your hearing will return to normal after the ear infection clears.
- Sound can be blocked from getting into the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. This reduces your ability to hear.
- Over time, untreated hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- Earwax accumulation also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
You never resort to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out excess earwax. Further damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will frequently worsen your ability to hear. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so obvious it almost shouldn’t be on the list. 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 ears over a long time period. The motor on your lawnmower can be pretty taxing on your ears, as well. As you can see, it isn’t just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.
Here are a few ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When you can’t avoid noisy settings, use hearing protection. Does your job put you on the floor of a noisy manufacturing plant? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s great. Just use the correct hearing protection. Modern earplugs and earmuffs offer abundant protection.
- Utilizing an app on your phone to warn you when volume levels get to dangerous levels.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep your headphone volume at a manageable volume. When dangerous levels are being approached, most phones come with a built in warning.
The damage to your hearing from loud noises will develop slowly. So, even if your hearing “feels” fine 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: If You Have Any Hearing Loss – Have it Treated
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So, the earlier you recognize the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to stopping hearing loss, treatment is so significant. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will keep your hearing in the best possible shape.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Our advice will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, allow you to listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will prevent further degeneration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
- Hearing aids minimize the brain strain and social solitude that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
Limiting Hearing Impairment Will Benefit You in The Future
Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, additional damage can be avoided with treatment. One of the principal ways to do that, in many instances, is hearing aids. Getting the necessary treatment will not only prevent additional damage but also keep your present hearing level in tact.
Your allowing yourself the best chance for healthy hearing into the future by wearing ear protection, getting the correct treatment, and practicing good hearing hygiene.
