Hearing loss is a common health problem, affecting millions of people every year in the US and worldwide. With aging, hearing loss increases, and it is between the ages of 50 and 60 that the phenomenon, presbycusis, increases, leading to several levels of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by trauma but also by bad daily habits, which means hearing can be preserved. It can quickly become an obstacle between you and your loved ones if you have trouble following conversations and understanding what people are saying to you. The consequences are numerous, whether it is profound or slight deafness, affecting daily life.
So here are a few tips that will help you preserve your hearing:
Avoid Loud Noises
The number one cause of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. This exposure is even more dangerous when prolonged. Daily, simple actions can protect your ears.
Do not listen to the radio or television too loudly, and avoid wearing headphones as much as possible. You can wear hearing protection when you engage in a noisy activity (mowing the lawn, vacuuming, etc.). Avoid staying too long in noisy places.
Limit Medication Intake
Hearing loss may be partly related to taking too much medication containing substances harmful to the ears. These drugs, which harm auditory functions, are called “ototoxic.” Ototoxic drugs can cause tinnitus and varying degrees of hearing loss depending on the dosage and duration of treatment.
Among the drugs recognized as ototoxic, classic anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and certain antibiotics and drugs indicated against cancer or depression, are included. Do not hesitate to discuss the matter with your doctor!
Carefully Clean Your Ears
To preserve your hearing, it is important to clean your ears carefully. While earwax buildup can cause hearing loss and have serious long-term consequences, earwax also protects your ears from external aggressors.
Beware of cotton swabs which, if used too much, can damage the ear. Choose cleaning products recommended by your doctor or ENT specialist, and limit ear cleaning to once a week.
Take Care of Your Diet
Several studies have shown that there are links between nutrition and hearing loss. While it’s no secret that a healthy lifestyle is a key to good health, choosing the right foods helps preserve your ears.
Vitamin D helps protect the bone structure of the inner ear, while vitamins E, C, A and magnesium prevent the production of free radicals that damage the ear when exposed to noise. Of course, diet will not completely protect your ears or cure hearing loss, but adopting good habits can prevent hearing loss.
React Quickly in Case of Discomfort
The best reflex is to consult an ENT regularly, especially after 60, to preserve your hearing. If you experience a clogged ear sensation or difficulty discerning noises in a noisy environment, you must react quickly and make an appointment with the ENT specialist.
Whether it’s earwax or presbycusis, the faster the treatment, the better your chance of preserving your hearing!
Performing a hearing assessment and regularly monitoring your hearing is crucial in preventing hearing loss. If you’re looking for experienced hearing experts for a loved one in Harris County or its surroundings, do not hesitate to contact Bay Area Audiology. The Bay Area Audiology team, comprised of experienced hearing aid specialists and audiologists, specializes in hearing loss evaluation and its treatments offering the best hearing aid solution to fit individual needs. Call or visit our website for more information!
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