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

Typically, when you’re first notice hearing loss (no matter the type), the first thing you should do is attempt to minimize the damage. There are, in fact, some straightforward steps 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, though, we aren’t concerned with the space behind your ears, but rather your inner 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. Consequently, your hearing becomes diminished.
  • Your brain and ability to decipher sound will inevitably be impacted by untreated hearing loss.
  • Your ability to hear can also be interfered with if you get a serious ear infection which can also be a result of dirty ears. When your ear infection goes away, your regular hearing will usually return.
  • Earwax buildup also interferes with the operation of your hearing aid if you use one. This could make it seem as if your hearing is getting worse.

You never turn to using a cotton swab to attempt to dig out excess earwax. Further damage can be caused by cotton swabs and they will frequently make it even harder to hear. Over the counter ear drops are a smarter decision.

Step 2: Avoid Loud Noises

This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on the list. But knowing how loud is too loud is the real difficulty for most individuals. For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over an extended period of time. Also, surprisingly, 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:

  • Utilizing an app on your phone to alert you when volume levels reach harmful levels.
  • When you’re watching videos or listening to music keep the volume on your headphones at a manageable level. When harmful levels are being reached, most phones have a built-in warning.
  • When you can’t steer clear of noisy environments, use hearing protection. Do you work on a noisy factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s fun. But be sure to wear the appropriate protection for your hearing. Contemporary earmuffs and earplugs offer ample protection.

The damage to your ears from loud noises will build up gradually. So if you’ve been to a noisy event, you could have done damage even if you don’t realize it. You can only get a clean bill of health for your ears by having them properly examined.

Step #3: Treat Any Hearing Loss You May Have

Hearing loss accumulates most of the time. So recognizing any damage early on will help prevent added injury. That’s why getting treated is extremely important in terms of stopping hearing loss. Practical treatments (on which you follow through) will keep your hearing in the best possible condition.

Here’s how treatments work:

  • Hearing aids stop the brain strain and social isolation that worsen hearing loss-related health problems.
  • Our guidance will help you learn to safeguard your hearing because it is customized and personalized for you.
  • Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing aids will counter further degeneration of your hearing by stopping this damage.

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

While it’s true that there’s no cure for hearing loss, getting treatment for your hearing loss will help stop additional damage. In many situations, hearing aids are one of the principal ways to accomplish that. The correct treatment will help you preserve your present level of hearing and prevent it from getting worse.

When you use hearing protection, engage in good hygiene, and obtain hearing loss treatment, you’re taking the appropriate steps to limit 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.