It is estimated that by 2050, one in 10 people will experience hearing loss of some kind. To help you preserve your hearing and prevent hearing loss, here are tips you can follow to make sure your hearing stays healthy.
As the world develops, we constantly find ourselves in noisy environments, with loud sounds and background noise entering our ears on a regular basis. In this fast-paced way of life, it has become even more essential to take care of your hearing health.
Not all hearing loss can be prevented, though. Certain types of hearing loss, such as Presbycusis and genetic and congenital hearing loss, can be managed with the help of hearing aids, surgery, or treatment.
However, there are some practical things you can change in your lifestyle and in your environment to minimize your risk of hearing loss.
Every day, we are surrounded by risks to our hearing health, such as:
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
- Hearing loss associated with your job or recreational activities
- Head injuries
- Ear infections
Preventing hearing loss can be as simple as wearing hearing protection at rock concerts or going for regular health checkups.
Let’s dive deeper as we look at ways to set you up for a healthy hearing journey.
Avoid Loud Noise
For some, especially those in work or living environments that have high volumes of noise, wearing protective ear gear is essential.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, if you are exposed to more than 85 dBA for prolonged periods, your risk of developing a hearing loss disorder increases significantly.
The use of earplugs or noise-canceling headphones are helpful when it comes to decreasing the noise level of high-volume areas.
At the same time, be conscious of the sound level on your personal listening devices. Many smartphones now show a warning when the sound level is deemed unsafe for prolonged listening sessions.
Protect Your Head
Trauma to the brain or head may result in hearing loss, depending on the injury. To avoid this, especially if you work in a high-risk environment such as a construction site, always wear protective headgear.
Road safety is just as important. When cycling or riding a motorcycle, you must use the necessary gear to prevent head injuries from accidents.
Live a Healthy Balanced Lifestyle
Paying special attention to your general health is a good idea to keep your senses and vital organs in optimal working condition. Part of this is avoiding excessive alcohol, not smoking, and including some form of exercise in your daily routine.
To further maintain a healthy lifestyle, be sure to keep track of your blood sugar levels. Diseases such as diabetes can be detrimental to the nerves in your ears, which may result in hearing loss.
Go for Regular Checkups and Maintain Good Ear Hygiene
At your next medical checkup, be sure to ask the doctor to include an assessment of your ears and hearing. Having a regular hearing evaluation scheduled will help to maintain the general health of your auditory functions and help to mitigate any current or potential challenges with your hearing.
As for hygiene, clean your ears regularly to keep the outer and middle ear free of obstructions such as earwax buildup. Blockages in the outer and middle ear can cause conductive hearing loss.
Be Aware of the Side Effects of Medication
Hearing loss is associated with a range of medications, including certain antibiotics and some drugs used to treat cancer.
As a rule of thumb, always check the side effects of any medication with a doctor or pharmaceutical professional before administering it or taking it yourself. When taking a new medication, consult with a hearing specialist at the first signs of hearing loss.
While the side effects of some medications will dissipate as soon as the drug is stopped, there have been reported cases of permanent damage to the ear and hearing.
Know Your Genes
Genetics plays an important role in your family disease history and can often be an indicator of potential disorders, including hearing loss.
Hereditary hearing loss includes disorders such as Non-Syndromic Genetic Hearing Loss and Syndromic Hearing Loss. While a genetic disorder is often not preventable, having the knowledge of it empowers you to make more informed decisions about your health.
Through early intervention, hereditary hearing loss may be better managed and treated to increase the daily comfort of the affected individual.
Take Note of the First Signs of Hearing Loss
Oftentimes, it’s those around you who first notice that you have a problem with your hearing. However, there are also physical manifestations of hearing loss, which may indicate to you that it’s time for a hearing evaluation.
Here is a list of signs that are associated with hearing loss:
- You struggle to hear speech, whether face-to-face or on the phone
- You need to turn up the volume on the TV or your listening devices in order to make out the sounds
- You experience a ringing of the ears, also referred to as tinnitus
- You have prolonged ear pain or a full feeling in your ear
- You find yourself feeling dizzy more often, or your balance is affected
- In extreme cases, you find yourself speaking louder or with less clarity as you are unable to hear your own voice clearly.
If you notice that your hearing has deteriorated, visit a hearing consultant as soon as possible.
Get the Help You Need
At Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, our team of professional hearing specialists is ready to help answer any questions you may have related to healthy hearing.
In our clinics, you will find board-certified hearing specialists who will conduct a number of tests and evaluations to determine the type of hearing loss, if there is any, as well as formulate a treatment plan. Together, we can get you back on track with your day-to-day life, while managing your hearing loss concerns.
Contact us today for a hearing evaluation.
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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