While hearing loss is a natural occurrence stemming from old age, the deterioration of our most relied upon sense can derive from an array of other factors. This can include genetic disorders, ear trauma, and damage caused by noise.
To some degree, hearing loss is unavoidable; but there are steps you can take to mitigate its rapid progression.
Here are ten helpful tips you can incorporate into your life to help protect against hearing loss.
1. Wear Hearing Protection
This is the most useful tip in regard to preserving your hearing. If you live in the city, and your ears are constantly being bombarded with the sounds of construction, such as jackhammering, or the noises from your home maintenance equipment (i.e., lawnmowers), ear protection can be a powerful tool used to protect your hearing health. Some options in regards to your hearing protection include noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, and earmuffs.
2. Avoid Prolonged, Loud Noises
Varying degrees of loud noises over an extended period can cause significant hearing damage. Loud noises we experience daily include music, lawnmowers, car/motorcycle engines, and sounds from live events. Depending on the level of noise experienced, it could have an abrupt, and immediate effect on your hearing, or can accumulate over time, causing gradual deterioration. If you’re a music lover, it is strongly advised to keep the volume at a moderate level. If you attend live events such as concerts; wear hearing protection.
3. Protect Ears
Your ears are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body, as they are exposed and susceptible to injury from trauma and changes in the environment. Ensure that your ears are protected when are you engaging in contact sports (i.e., wrestling) or if you are out in cold climates. This will help protect your ears and preserve your hearing.
4. Listen to Your Friends and Family
While the progression of your hearing loss may go unnoticed by you, the ones closest to you would have a better understanding of the matter; they’re the ones who interact with you the most. If they’re saying that you might have a hearing problem, take what they’re saying to heart, and get a hearing test.
5. Be Aware of Genetic Factors
If your family has a history of hearing loss, then you’d likely be more inclined to develop the ailment if their hearing condition stems from a genetic disorder. Speaking to one of our specialists at Beltone will help you understand the early warning signs of hearing loss. It will also enhance your knowledge of hearing health while allowing you to extract the unhealthy activities that expedite the progression of your hearing loss.
6. Take Care of Yourself
Although loud noise and increased age are the leading causes of hearing loss, your overall health can play a role in the quality of your hearing as well. Living a healthy lifestyle (i.e., working out, drinking water, and sleep) is essential for optimal body functionality.
7. Familiarize Yourself With the Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Knowing the early warning signs and symptoms of hearing loss is critical to stopping its progression. Many are unaware that they are suffering from hearing loss, because it happens gradually, and, usually, when an individual realizes what’s going on, the damage is done. Increasing your knowledge, regarding hearing loss, will embed in you the understanding of when to get tested, and what activities or external forces are unhealthy.
8. Get Tested Annually
You are told to visit the doctor annually for a reason. As we age and engage with the world, the things we experience begin to take a toll on our bodies. It is essential to get annual hearing checkups, not just for your hearing, but the significant problems that our hearing loss may derive from. Hearing loss could be a symptom of much more severe issues, such as heart disease and dementia, according to the CDC.
9. Understand Your Test Results
It’s one thing to get tested, but it’s another thing to fully understand what the results from the test mean to your hearing health. After your examination, we will sit with you to help you better understand your hearing performance. Be sure to ask questions, to ensure that you have a grasp of the information they are relaying to you.
10. Hearing Aid
Following the conclusion of your hearing test and the determination that you fit the criteria for someone that would benefit from a hearing device, the next step would be to find a style that works best for you. Once a decision is made, you would be advised to use your Beltone hearing aid regularly, so you can get back to experiencing life the way you were meant to.
To learn more about the Beltone hearing aids that we offer, and to book a hearing test at a Beltone location near you, contact us here today.
