Try These Three Simple Steps to Control Hearing Loss

Woman with hearing loss touching her ear and thinking about preventing further loss.

The first thing to do, when you start to recognize that you have hearing loss, is to prevent added damage. There are, in fact, some straightforward measures you can take to protect your ears and limit further hearing loss.

Step 1: Clean Your Ears

Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those early hygiene lessons you learn (or should have learned), right? But it’s actually the inner ear we’re worried about keeping clean when it comes to hearing health, rather than behind the ears.

Keeping your ears free of wax buildup can help your hearing in several different ways:

  • Your hearing can also be interfered with if you get a severe ear infection which can also be caused by dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your normal hearing will usually come back.
  • When wax buildup becomes severe, it can stop sound from getting into your inner ear. As a result, your hearing becomes diminished.
  • If you use a hearing aid, earwax buildup can hinder its function also. You might end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
  • In the long run, untreated hearing loss can affect your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.

If you observe earwax accumulation, it’s absolutely not suggested that you dig around in there with a cotton swab. Further damage can be done by cotton swabs and they will often 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 listed. But identifying how loud is too loud is the real problem for most people. Over an extended time period, for instance, your hearing can be damaged by driving on a busy freeway. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your ears. As you can see, it’s not just blasting speakers or loud rock concerts that harm your ears.

Some useful ways to escape harmful noises include:

  • When you can’t avoid noisy settings, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Going to a rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the required hearing protection. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer abundant protection.
  • Refraining from turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re watching videos or listening to music. Most phones have built-in alerts when you’re nearing a dangerous level.
  • When decibel levels get too high, an app on your phone can warn you of that.

Damage to the ears from noise doesn’t happen all of a sudden, it progresses gradually. So, even if your hearing “feels” good 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: Address Any Hearing Impairment You Might Have

Generally speaking, hearing loss is cumulative. So recognizing any damage early will help prevent added injury. That’s why treatment is extremely important when it comes to decreasing hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible shape.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • The chance of developing hearing loss related health issues is diminished by using hearing aids because they prevent social isolation and brain strain.
  • Some, but not all damage can be avoided by wearing hearing aids. Hearing aids will, for example, allow you to listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, preventing damage. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also stop further degeneration of your hearing.
  • Our advice will help you learn to protect your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.

Limiting Hearing Loss Will Benefit You in The Future

Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, further damage can be avoided with treatment. In many situations, hearing aids are one of the primary ways to accomplish that. The correct treatment will help you maintain your present level of hearing and prevent it from worsening.

When you use hearing protection, practice good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the correct measures to minimize hearing loss while also giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing in the future.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

Questions? Talk To Us.