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

Generally, when you’re confronted with hearing loss (no matter the variety), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. There are, after all, some simple steps you can take to protect your ears and limit further hearing loss.

Step 1: Keep Your Ears Clean

Remember learning to make sure you clean behind your ears when you learned basic hygiene (or at least should have learned). But it’s actually the inner ear we’re concerned with cleaning in terms of hearing health, not behind the ears.

There are several ways that keeping your ears clear of wax can help your hearing:

  • Sound can be blocked from reaching the inner ear when there’s too much wax buildup. This diminishes your ability to hear.
  • Earwax buildup also interferes with the functionality of your hearing aid if you use one. You may end up feeling like your hearing is going downhill because of this.
  • In the long run, neglected hearing loss can impact your brain and your ability to decipher sounds.
  • Your hearing can also be impeded if you get a severe ear infection which can also be caused by unclean ears. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually return.

You never turn to the use of a cotton swab to try and dig out built up earwax. In most instances, a cotton swab will make things worse or cause additional damage. Instead, use over-the-counter ear drops.

Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises

This one is so obvious it almost shouldn’t be on the list. But determining how loud is too loud is the real problem for most individuals. As an example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long period of time. Also, surprisingly, your lawn mower can take a toll on your hearing. Clearly, it’s more than rock concerts or high volume speakers that cause hearing impairment.

Here are some ways to avoid damaging noise:

  • When volume levels get too high, an app on your phone can alert you of that.
  • Wearing hearing protection when noisy environments can’t be avoided. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Going to see a rock concert? That’s cool. Just use the correct ear protection. A perfect example would be earmuffs and earplugs.
  • When you’re listening to music or watching videos keep your headphone volume at a manageable level. When dangerous levels are being reached, most phones come with a built in warning.

The damage to your ears from loud sounds will build up gradually. So if you’ve attended a noisy event, you may have done damage even if you don’t detect it. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.

Step #3: If You Have Any Hearing Impairment – Have it Treated

Generally speaking, hearing impairment is cumulative. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to prevent further damage. So when it comes to slowing down hearing loss, treatment is so essential. Your hearing will get the greatest benefit if you find and follow through on practical treatment.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • The potential of developing hearing loss related health problems is diminished by wearing hearing aids because they minimize social solitude and brain strain.
  • Hearing aids can stop some, but not all, damage. Hearing aids will, for example, let you listen to music or the TV at a lower volume, preventing damage. Hearing aids will prevent further deterioration of your hearing by stopping this damage.
  • We can provide personalized guidance and advice to help you prevent added damage to your hearing.

You Will be Benefited in The Long Run by Decreasing Hearing Loss

Even though we don’t have a cure for hearing loss, further damage can be avoided with treatment. In many cases, hearing aids are one of the main ways to achieve that. Getting the correct treatment will not only prevent further damage but also keep your present hearing level intact.

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

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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.
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