Fall into Better Hearing: Tips from a Hearing Specialist

Fall could be the perfect season to address your hearing. You may have noticed your hearing has changed, and you want to enjoy all the fall activities. Your hearing specialist will give tips on good hearing habits, so you can help preserve your sense of hearing. Just what are a few healthy habits you should adopt? This post lists a few examples of great hearing health tips recommended by an audiologist.

Remove Excess Earwax

Many people develop blockages of earwax that can lead to muffled hearing. There are many causes of earwax blockages ranging from infections to naturally having narrow ear canals that are more prone to blockages. However, a common reason is people sticking cotton swabs in their ears. Cotton swabs are not actually designed for removing earwax, and they often simply push the earwax further into the ear where it can cause an impaction. Alternatively, you could look into professional earwax removal – which is recommended for excess build-ups and blockages.

Turn Down the Volume

Extended exposure to high-volume noises can lead to hearing issues, including hearing loss and the persistent ringing known as tinnitus. One common source of such damage is listening to music at high volumes through headphones for extended periods. It’s essential to monitor the volume, and if your ears feel sore or ring after listening to music, it’s a clear sign the volume is too high. This precaution applies to music played through speakers as well. When listening to music in your car, it’s advisable to avoid turning up the volume to the point where it competes with the road noise, as this often exceeds the decibel level that can cause hearing loss.

Quit Smoking

Individuals who smoke face a 60% higher risk of developing high-frequency hearing loss. This heightened risk can be attributed to the impact of smoking on blood pressure. The persistent high blood pressure associated with smoking can harm the delicate cells within the ear, leading to hearing issues. Moreover, smokers are more prone to developing tinnitus. If you quit smoking it can potentially reduce blood pressure to a healthier level and help in the prevention of hearing loss.

Keep Your Ears Dry

Ensuring that your ears remain dry while using hearing aids is vital for both their durability and performance. Excess moisture can lead to technical issues, affecting how well the device works and your comfort while wearing it. This is especially crucial during water-related activities like swimming or showering. You can safeguard your hearing aids by using protective covers and taking out your hearing aids when showering or swimming.

Regularly cleaning and thoroughly drying your hearing aids after any moisture exposure is also a must to prevent any potential harm. Your audiologist will give you good tips on maintaining good hygiene with your hearing aids and keeping your ears dry is key to enjoying a consistently effective hearing experience.

Wear Ear Protection in Loud Environments

If you spend a lot of time in loud environments, it’s important that you wear ear protection such as earplugs or earmuff. Such environments could include construction sites, nightclubs or concerts. Constant exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss or tinnitus. Wearing ear protection can reduce the volume of loud sounds to prevent a risk of hearing loss. An audiologist will help you choose the right ear protection for you.

Limit Stress

Stress can have a negative impact on our overall well-being, but its connection to your hearing is less widely understood. Much like smoking, stress can trigger an increase in stress hormones, leading to elevated blood pressure. When stress becomes constant, it can result in a consistently high blood pressure, which, in turn, may affect nerve cells throughout our body, including those in our ears. Reducing stress in your life can be a proactive step to enhance your overall well-being, including your hearing.

Know When to Consider a Hearing Aid

Recognizing when to consider a hearing aid is vital for maintaining a better quality of life. The most common sign is difficulty hearing everyday conversations or frequently asking people to repeat themselves. If you find that you’re increasing the volume on your devices to higher levels, it’s time to talk with your audiologist about hearing aids. Your audiologist will discuss the different styles, and which would benefit you the most with the level of hearing loss you have.

Are you experiencing hearing loss? If so, talk with an audiologist, they can conduct a hearing test and help you find the right hearing aid for your specific needs. If you want to learn more about your hearing health and advice from an audiologist, get in touch with Dr. Eimer’s Hearing Clinic. Call us today at 231-333-5118.