The first thing to do, when you start to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to eliminate added damage. There are, in fact, some simple measures you can take to protect your hearing and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Clean Your Ears
Remember learning to make sure you clean behind your ears when you learned general hygiene (or at least should have learned). But it’s actually the inner ear we’re concerned with keeping clean in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.
Keeping your ears free from wax accumulation can help your hearing in several different ways:
- Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax accumulation. This diminishes your ability to hear.
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
- If you have a hearing aid, earwax accumulation can interfere with its function also. This may make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.
- Untidy ears raise your chances of developing an ear infection, which leads to inflammation that (when serious enough) interferes with your ability to hear. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will normally return.
If you notice earwax buildup, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most instances, a cotton swab will worsen the situation or cause additional damage. Alternatively, use over-the-counter ear drops.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one is so obvious it almost shouldn’t be listed. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real problem for most individuals. Over an extended period of time, for example, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy highway. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. As you can tell, it isn’t just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that damage your ears.
Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:
- When decibel levels get too loud, an app on your phone can notify 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 loud manufacturing plant? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s great. But be sure to wear the proper protection for your hearing. A perfect example would be earplugs or earmuffs.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep your headphone volume at a manageable volume. When hazardous volumes are being reached, most phones come with a built in warning.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t happen all of a sudden, it progresses gradually. So if you’ve been to a loud event, you might have done damage even if you don’t detect it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by a hearing specialist.
Step #3: Address Any Hearing Impairment You Might Have
Hearing impairment accumulates generally speaking. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be capable of preventing further damage. That’s why treatment is extremely important in terms of decreasing 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 advice will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, let you listen to the TV or music at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will prevent additional degeneration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
- The chance of developing hearing loss related health problems is reduced by using hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Limiting Hearing Loss
While it’s true that hearing loss can’t be cured, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop additional damage. One of the principal ways to do that, in many cases, is hearing aids. The right treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and stop it from getting worse.
When you use hearing protection, exercise good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the correct measures to limit hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the future.