Generally, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is try to control the damage. There are, after all, some straightforward measures you can take to safeguard your ears and minimize further hearing loss.
Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean
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’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but rather your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- In the long run, neglected hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
- Your ability to hear can also be impeded if you get a severe ear infection which can also be caused by unclean ears. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will usually return.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can stop sound from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your ability to hear becomes weakened.
- Earwax buildup also inhibits the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as though your hearing is getting worse.
If you observe earwax buildup, it’s definitely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Further damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often make it even harder to hear. Over the counter ear drops are a better decision.
Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises
This one should almost be left off the list it’s so intuitive. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real problem for most people. As an example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your hearing over an extended period of time. Also, believe it or not, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or loud speakers that cause hearing damage.
Here are a few ways to stay away from damaging noise:
- When volume levels get too high, an app on your phone can notify you of that.
- Wearing ear protection when loud environments can’t be avoided. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to attend that rock concert? That’s great. But be sure to wear the correct protection for your hearing. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs provide abundant protection.
- When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable level. When dangerous volumes are being reached, most phones feature a built in warning.
Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t develop all of a sudden, it builds up gradually. So if you’ve attended a noisy event, you may 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 professional.
Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Addressed
Hearing loss accumulates generally speaking. So catching any damage early will help prevent added injury. So in terms of slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so essential. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you seek out and follow through on practical treatment.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, allow you to listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, avoiding damage. Hearing aids will counter additional degeneration of your hearing by preventing this damage.
- Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
- Hearing aids stop the brain strain and social solitude that worsen hearing loss-related health issues.
Decreasing Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future
Even though we can’t cure hearing loss, further damage can be avoided with treatment. In many cases, hearing aids are one of the top ways to achieve that. Getting the proper treatment will not only prevent additional damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.
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.