Hearing Loss Prevention

Your audiologist at Cosmetic Hearing Solutions is here to help you fight hearing loss every step of the way. This includes not only treating it when and if it happens, but also in doing everything you can do to prevent it.

Here, we’re going to look at some most common risk factors of hearing loss and what you can do to fight them.

Be aware of dangerous noise levels

All noises over 85dB are potentially dangerous to your hearing. The louder the noise or the more sustained your exposure to it, the higher the risk of it doing permanent damage to your hearing.

To put this into proper perspective, the amount of noise generated by the average motorized lawn mower sits at around 90dB, a loud rock concert can reach levels of up to 120dB and a single firework will often exceed 150dB.

Noises as loud as a firework can be an instant risk of hearing loss, yet exposure to the slightly lower noise levels on a regular basis are some of the most common causes of age-related hearing loss. Be aware of when loud is too loud and avoid those scenarios or take the proper precautions to protect yourself against them.

Use ear protection when necessary

The most commonly recommended precaution against unsafe noise levels is ear protection. There is a range of different ear protection devices that can help you safeguard your hearing.

Disposable earplugs are the cheapest option and are suitable for short-term, infrequent use. They’re not the most comfortable choice and often have to be disposed of after a single time or a set amount of uses, but if you’re going to a rock concert in the near future, they might be just what you need.

Earmuffs are commonly used in the workplace to provide all-encompassing protection. They cover the entirety of the ear for complete, comfortable protection. Lastly, your audiologist can help you create molds for custom earplugs. These are built to comfortably fit your ear and can be used time and time again for years, providing you take care of them properly.

Take care of wax issues the right way

Earwax build-ups are a common issue. We all get earwax and, in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. Some people, however, produce a lot more than others. If your ear feels full or blocked and/or your hearing feels muffled, it’s a good sign of an earwax buildup.

Earwax build-ups can raise your chances of an ear infection, which could prove a risk to your hearing in the long-term. However, how you treat it is just as important. Unsafe methods like inserting cotton swabs in your ear or candling are not just ineffective, but they can risk doing damage inside the ear which can cause hearing loss.

Your audiologist can provide safe, precise earwax cleaning that helps to get rid of build-ups without any of the risks of the do-it-yourself methods people often turn to.

Know the symptoms of ear infections

Ear infections are more common amongst children but aren’t exclusive to them. They most often occur as a result of colds, throat infections and allergic reactions, but earwax blockages can put you at a higher risk of infection, as well.

If left untreated for a long period of time or if they are more frequent, ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss. For that reason, you should be aware of the following symptoms:

• Earache
• Stabbing pains associated with excess drainage from the ear
• Nausea
• Full, blocked feelings in the ear
• Odd-smelling drainage

If you experience any of these, it’s wise to visit the audiologist so they can diagnose and treat the ear infection as quickly as possible.

Get your hearing tested

Simply put, the best way to be aware of your risk of hearing loss is to have it tested by your audiologist. This way, they can see existing hearing loss and get a better idea of your lifestyle and circumstances that might prove to be risk factors. As such, they will be able to provide personalized advice to help you manage those risks and protect your hearing better in the long-term.

If you’re concerned that you’re exposed to too much noise and you want to know whether or not it’s proving a risk to your hearing or you want to make sure you have the best custom ear protection available, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your audiologist at Cosmetic Hearing Solutions. Call us at (571) 312-7345 to arrange your consultation and we will protect your hearing together.