Keep Your Hearing Sharp With These Three Simple Tips

Isn’t pizza cool? You can switch up the toppings, sauces, even the cheeses concerned, but as long as it meets some basic criteria, it’s still a pizza. That’s similar to hearing loss. Symptoms and presentations are a consequence of many different problems – loud noises, genetic factors, age, ear obstructions – but as long as you have difficulty detecting sounds, it’s still hearing loss.

Usually, when you first notice hearing loss (regardless of the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. This is only one simple measure you can take to safeguard your hearing from further harm.

Tip 1: Clean your Ears

Remember when your parents used to always ask “did you wash behind your ears”? But with regards to the health of your hearing, it’s the inner ear, not behind the ears, that we’re interested in.

Your hearing can be benefited in several ways by keeping your ears free of earwax:

• Your brain and your ability to decipher sounds can be impacted over time by untreated hearing loss.
• If you wear hearing aids, earwax will also impede their operation. If this happens you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
• Sound waves will have a harder time getting into your inner ear if you have substantial buildup. Your hearing becomes compromised as a result.
• Unkempt ears increase your chances of getting an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when severe enough, interferes with your ability to hear. Your functional hearing will typically return when then the infection goes away.

If you notice earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not recommended that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause added damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.

Tip 2: Try to avoid loud noises that could result in hearing loss

This one should be pretty intuitive. But determining what comprises “loud sound” isn’t very easy for most individuals. It’s not just blaring speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. The motor on your lawnmower can be very taxing on your ears also. And when you’re out celebrating the 4th of July, be cautious to protect your hearing!

Some useful ways to avoid harmful noises include:

• Using an app on your phone to alert you when the volume reaches unsafe thresholds.
• When you’re streaming movies or listening to tunes, watch your headphone volume. When you’re listening at hazardous levels, most phones have built-in warnings.
• Using hearing protection when loud situations are not avoidable. If you want to go to a loud rock concert or if you work in a noisy factory that’s fine but don’t forget your hearing protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.

So if you go to a loud event and your hearing seems fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is usually a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.

Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated

In general, hearing loss is accumulative. So, the sooner you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to stop further damage. So in terms of hearing loss, this is the reason why seeking hearing loss treatment is so important. Your hearing will be in the best possible condition when you stick to the treatment plan we will lay out for you.

Here’s how treatments work:

• Hearing aids prevent the mental strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health problems.
• We will give you individualized instructions and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
• Hearing aids can prevent some, but not all, damage. For example, hearing aids will stop you from turning your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.

In the long run you will be benefited by using hearing aids

Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss in spite of the fact that there is no cure. Treating your hearing loss correctly will stop further damage while preserving your current degree of hearing.

When you wear hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with a hearing specialist, you’re taking the correct steps to control hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come!