The ears represent the external element of the human auditory system so it’s crucial in many ways to protect them from any sort of damage. Cleaning is one thing, but infection prevention and treatment are also necessary. Making efforts to reduce unneeded noise and keeping an eye out for potential hearing loss is also part of proper ear care. If you have concerns about any of these, you should contact your doctor.
But, if you already have some degree of hearing impairment, you should keep looking out for your ears as you did prior to your hearing loss. This will prevent any further hearing loss and ear damage. With that being said, keep reading to find out how to protect your ears from further hearing loss.
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Keep your ears clean
You should take additional care when cleaning your ears. Don’t ever clean your earlobes with something smaller than a wet cloth on your index finger, and never use cotton buds, or other sharp objects. These things could harm the eardrums or ear canals.
The ear uses earwax to protect and clean itself, so consult a medical professional to get any earwax buildup that is impairing your hearing removed. You risk further harming the sensitive interior of your ear if you attempt to remove it on your own with objects that shouldn’t be put in your ear.
There are other simple ways how to unclog ears as the majority of blocked and obstructed ears are just temporary, which is a positive thing. You can try stretching your jaw to alleviate pressure from your ears, pop your ears, or use other methods to unclog them. To remove hardened wax in your ear more readily, combine wax softeners with steam or a warm cloth.
Use earplugs when exposed to loud noises
Loud noises are the number one reason for hearing loss and permanent ear damage. If you frequently attend concerts, make sure you’re using earplugs or taking frequent pauses from the sound to protect your ears from loud music.
One noisy night out can require up to 16 hours of rest to recuperate. Regular 5-minute breaks will aid in the recovery of your ears, but using earplugs or ear protection will provide added security. If you already suffer from any type of hearing loss, avoid loud events that can further damage your ears.
If you work in a loud environment like a construction site, always make sure to wear the proper safety equipment. Being exposed to constant and loud noise pollution can gradually deteriorate your hearing loss and you may suffer from irreversible ear damage if you’re not wearing the proper ear protection gear and be careful.
Get your hearing checked
It’s crucial to make an appointment with your nearby audiologist for the necessary assessment and care if you’ve observed a decline in your hearing or if others have been complaining that you’re missing sections of conversations. You can take steps to stop more hearing loss if you have lost some of your hearing.
If you work in a loud environment or if you’re regularly exposed to loud noises and noise pollution you should get your hearing tested regularly to check if you have any degree of hearing loss. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of deteriorated hearing loss, this is a good preventative step you need to take.
Keep your ears dry
If you enjoy going to the beach or swimming frequently, you may be exposing your ears to risk unintentionally. The ideal environment for bacterial growth is created when water becomes trapped in your ear canal. In the ear canal, too much moisture enables germs to spread infections. Your ears may feel scratchy or even painful as a consequence.
You can only safeguard your ears by making an effort to keep them and your hearing devices dry. Make sure to dry your ears after showering, or lean your head to the side and gently pull on your earlobe to let the water drain. If you already suffer from hearing loss, an infection to the ear can cause further degrees of hearing impairment and even make you fully deaf. To avoid infections from spreading, always make sure to keep your ears and your hearing devices dry.
Final thoughts
No matter if you suffer from hearing loss or not, you always need to protect your ears from noise pollution and infections as these factors can further increase your hearing loss. Make sure to keep your ears and hearing devices clean and dry and wear the proper safety gear when exposed to loud noises. Consult with a specialist if you have any pain or abnormalities with your ears and take further steps to protect your hearing.
