Autumn is one of the best times of the year. Imagine yourself settling back and enjoying the sounds– children laughing on Halloween, the leaves crunching as you walk, the fire crackling, and your loved ones around the table at Thanksgiving. Now picture a scenario where you are unable to hear those sounds or they are dulled.
Failing to experience these sounds can significantly lessen the festive atmosphere. Fortunately, many hearing issues are temporary and can be managed by dealing with underlying causes that are usually simple to fix or prevent. Take these steps to protect your hearing, and enjoy fall to its fullest.
Tips for preserving your hearing
It is clear and undeniable that prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in temporary hearing impairment, and if the exposure continues over time, it can develop into a lasting condition. Loud noises damage the sensitive parts of your inner ear, and you should do what you can to minimize the problem.
A sudden, extremely loud noise like an explosion can result in short-term hearing loss, and although timely medical intervention may reduce the impact, it is tough to prevent. Longer exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, though, can also cause hearing loss and is often easier to avoid.
Heavy traffic clocks in at 85 decibels, and sirens come in at 120 decibels. In addition to firecrackers and fireworks, loud music through earbuds can also pose a danger to your hearing. Be careful when boosting the volume, as the proximity of the sound to your eardrum can result in damage. (Regrettably, there are no exceptions for your favorite song when it comes to earbuds or headphones.)
Among the highlights of autumn are outdoor gets together and concerts. The weather is still beautiful, and you may find yourself in a park where you can spark up a grill and lay down a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit right in front of the speakers, you may be confronted with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts often reach unsafe decibel levels even at a considerable distance.
So what can you do?
Protecting your hearing by using earplugs is one of the most helpful things you can do. You will still be able to hear the music and appreciate the fireworks, just with less potential damage to your hearing. Resist the urge to edge closer to the speakers as the evening wears on, no matter how tempting it might be.
Keep your ears safe in cool temperatures
Protecting your ears as the weather gets colder and more blustery is essential to avoid infections. Make sure that you and your family are wearing ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. While ear infections are frequently related to kids, they can also affect grown-ups, and it’s not only limited to parents and grandparents. Fluid build-up in the middle ear is an outcome of these infections, which also result in irritation. You might experience fluid draining from your ear, pain, and hearing loss.
Get immediate medical attention if you’re noticing symptoms of an ear infection. Not seeking treatment for this issue, which might be a warning of a hidden medical condition, poses risks to your well-being.
Gently and successfully eliminate earwax
Earwax, despite being bothersome, plays a crucial role in catching dirt, bugs, and debris to stop them from entering your inner ear. If you have too much earwax, though, it can be a problem, particularly if it obstructs your hearing.
The first action in avoiding hearing issues caused by earwax is prevention. You may have spent many years utilizing a cotton swab or another tool to get rid of earwax, but it’s time to stop that practice. Cotton swabs force the wax into your ear canal, causing a blockage and hearing loss.
Think about using ear cleaning solutions, such as hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to carefully cleanse your ears. Allow the drops to sit for a short while, then incline your head to help with drainage. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are afraid that the blockage is too great, consult a hearing specialist. They have specific instruments to make the job easier.
Medications may be the cause
An abbrupt decline in your hearing abilities after starting a new prescription might be a side effect of the medication itself. Some antibiotics, diuretics, large doses of aspirin, and other drugs can lead to hearing problems. If you are worried about this matter, contact your physician as soon as possible to find out whether you should keep using your medication.
Be sure to have any decline in your hearing promptly examined.
Get in touch with a hearing care specialist if you are experiencing hearing loss this season.
