Autumn brings in its own engaging sounds you won’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching beneath your feet, and children laughing and playing. Now imagine how much less enjoyable your fall experience will be if those sounds begin to fade away.
Hearing issues can put a damper on your autumn experiences, but fortunately, many hearing issues can be avoided or treated with simple precautions. Make sure you don’t miss fall’s wonderful soundscape, and be proactive about protecting your hearing.
Protect your ears from noise
Loud noises are one of the most prevalent causes of both temporary and permanent hearing loss. Exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) can compromise the sensitive structures of your inner ear, resulting in hearing impairment.
What are typical sources of damaging noise?
- Sirens: 120 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
Periodically attending a loud event can cause hearing loss that is normally temporary and will clear up over a day or two. Recurring exposure to loud noises, like going to concerts regularly, or listening to loud audio on headphones every day, can cause more irreversible hearing loss.
Guidelines for protecting your ears in autumn
- Turn down your headphones: Limit headphone usage and decrease the volume to prevent damage over time.
- Use earplugs at events: If you go to outdoor concerts or Halloween get-togethers, use earplugs to lower the volume without muting the experience.
- Avoid sitting near loudspeakers: While getting right up close to the action may be tempting, the volume level right beside the loudspeakers is dangerously loud and can certainly damage your hearing.
Keeping your ears healthy when it’s cold out
Remember to protect your ears from the cold as temperatures drop. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your hearing, leaving you susceptible to ear infections. Adults are just as prone to ear infections as children, particularly when exposed to cold and windy conditions.
Why ear infections are dangerous
Cold air can cause discomfort, temporary hearing loss, and pain because it can cause fluid accumulation and inflammation of the middle ear. Neglected ear infections can cause more serious complications, affecting both your hearing and total health.
Protecting your ears when it’s cold
- Pay attention to symptoms: If you feel pain, fluid draining from the ear, or experience sudden hearing loss, consult a healthcare provider immediately for assessment and treatment.
- Wear ear protection: Keep your ears warm by entirely covering them with a hat, earmuffs, or a headband.
Tips for safe ear cleaning
Earwax, while often thought of as a nuisance, captures debris, dust, and insects, playing a vital role in your overall ear health. However, an overabundance of earwax can block your ear canal and result in considerable issues.
You should never clean your ears with cotton swabs as they can push earwax further into the ear canal and potentially cause ear damage. Better cleaning methods include:
- Consult a professional: If you’re uncertain about cleaning your ears or suspect you have a wax blockage, come see us for a consultation. We can prevent further problems by making use of specialized tools to safely clear out the earwax.
- Hydrogen peroxide drops: Loosen the earwax by utilizing over-the-counter earwax solutions or a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Let the solution sit for several minutes, then tip your head to allow it to drain.
Hearing loss related to medication
Hearing issues are one of the unexpected side effects of some medications. Common medications such as certain antibiotics, diuretics, and even large doses of aspirin can impede your hearing.
If you notice changes in your hearing after beginning a new medication, it’s essential to contact your doctor. Whether your hearing loss is due to a new medication, and if so, what to do about it, are things they will help you with.
As soon as you detect indications of hearing loss, take action
Fall is filled with memorable sounds you don’t want to miss. If you detect any changes in your hearing, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us for a thorough evaluation.