Your ears not only help you to hear, but they work with your body’s different systems. They help you to understand your place in any environment. 

Many have discovered that most balance issues directly relate to our ears. Ear balancing disorders can make you feel wobbly, unsteady, or even continuously moving. 

These particular sensations can indeed have a detrimental effect on your ability to walk,  sit up, or even to stand straight. 

In this article, we’ll be looking at all the ways hearing loss affects our balance. Read on to know more about it. 

How Do You Balance Yourself?

Our entire balance system depends on the ear’s labyrinth, a network of tissues and bones located right inside our inner ear. This labyrinth brings together the otolithic organs, cochlea, and the semicircular canals, 

The canals of the ears are used to maintain balance, while the cochlea is required for hearing. All these appear to be three circular loops and they can make you feel different kinds of motion. 

One senses upward or downward movements, another feels side-to-side movements, and the final one senses tilting! So, when fluid moves inside these tubes, the ears’ hair cells feel each and every movement and easily transit them to your brain. 

This entire procedure empowers us with the knowledge of how we move and whether the movement is in proper balance. Moreover, our balancing system is so delicate that it can even identify when moving inside an elevator or vehicle. 

The issues with our inner ear might include problems such as:

• Nausea 
• Vertigo
• Dizziness

Moreover, due to this condition, you may feel that you are moving, but in reality, you are actually not. Even motion sickness and various other issues can occur due to balance disorders. Severe cases of vertigo can make you feel sick when you are lying down on your bed!

Several things can contribute to balance issues, but more facts are required to firmly state that hearing impairment can lead to balance disorders. 

The ears are doing more than only helping us to hear, and the semicircular canals in the ears can lead to balancing problems for people.

Can Deafness Cause Balancing Problems?

Although some conditions might initiate balance problems, balance problems are not always due to hearing loss. Not everyone who suffers from balance-related issues is suffering from hearing loss. 

However, certain diseases like Meniere’s disease and Labyrinthitis might result in balancing issues and even severe hearing loss. 

Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection. This occurs when the labyrinth (a specific structure within the inner ear) starts to swell and becomes inflamed. It can eventually lead to conditions like tinnitus, nausea, vertigo, and hearing loss. This particular condition is usually known to be vestibular neuronitis, but the only difference is it doesn’t involve any hearing loss. 

Hearing loss is possible if the entire condition turns into Labyrinthitis. Although this problem can be cured in most cases, when the infections get too severe, then this can have long-lasting damages. 

Meniere’s disease, once called Endolymphatic Hydrops, is an increased pressure built in the labyrinth. 

Moreover, this disease has no cure, but with medications, it can be managed. Patients who suffer from this condition usually start to feel the pressure growing inside just before this condition fully develops.

Although, within several years, this condition might go away on its own but there’s no treatment for this; all you have to do is wait!

The Causes of Balance Disorder

The different organs of the body work together to ensure balance, and the ears play a vital role here. Therefore, problems with your inner ear can also contribute to balance disorders.

Here are some of the most common problems that can cause balance disorder issues. 

• Head injury
• Ear infections
• Tumours
• Blood circulation issues inside the inner ear
• Arthritis
• Medications
• Low blood pressure
• Eye muscle imbalance

To know the actual reason for any balance disorder, you must contact a specialist when you start to face balance problems. Even an expert will also run tests to clarify that you don’t have any issues regarding your inner ear. 

There are such ear infections like Labyrinthitis and Meniere’s disease that can cause hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. So, when tests are run, it will be clear what sort of issues you are facing that can lead to a balance disorder. 

Balance Disorder Treatment 

Balance disorder treatments entirely depend on the type of condition you are suffering from.  

Many patients with untreatable and permanent balance issues seek out various ear balancing disorder exercises. Such exercises are commonly called VRT or Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy.

These exercises will help your balance system be aware of specific movements, which will then eventually make it simple for you to move without even triggering your vertigo. 

Although it may not entirely solve the issue, it can indeed prevent you from falling and make it easier for you to move on with vertigo. 

Many patients who take VRT face fewer problems while turning their heads, bending over, and walking on patterned floors.

VRT exercises need to be performed accurately to receive positive effects. Moreover, a VRT expert will always be there to guide you with proper counselling and activities. 

You may also consider hearing aids to deal with this problem. Visit nanohearingaids.com to order affordable hearing aids. 

Final Thoughts

Hearing loss can indeed have adverse effects on your life, and balance disorders might be one of the worst-case scenarios. Although, not all hearing loss has a direct relation with balance disorders. 

Labyrinthitis and Meniere’s disease might contribute to hearing impairment and balance disorders. However, VRT exercises and counselling might help recover from these conditions and help you live with them more easily. 

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Hearing loss can affect adults and children at any age but this doesn’t mean it’s not challenging to adjust. Whether your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss early on, or it’s something that’s happened to them later in life, your support as a parent is paramount. In the majority of cases, hearing loss isn’t hereditary so parents also need to learn how to adjust to this issue and ensure their child is as happy and comfortable as possible. Here are a few tips on how to support a child with hearing loss.

Seek professional support

First of all, it’s essential to seek professional help. Take your child to an audiologist and find out as much information as you can. They will be able to give you plenty of tips and advice. Fortunately, there are also several government intervention services per state you can look into. These provide ongoing support to families living with hearing loss and have specially designed programs to guide parents and children of different ages.

Find ways to explore sounds

Try to find fun activities to help your child explore sounds. This is especially important if they’ve been fitted with a new hearing aid. For example, you could encourage them to get in touch with nature by going on a quiet walk through the forest. Get them to identify different sounds and match them to animals and birds. You could also try reading together and describing the pictures or singing songs.

Learn to communicate visually

Visual communication will help with any degree of hearing loss. Your audiologist will be able to give you advice on this. Always ensure your child is watching when you speak. It’s a good idea to crouch down to their height and make eye contact so they can lip read. Here are a few more useful communication tips.

Teach them how to adjust to their hearing aids

Life can be interesting for a first time hearing aid user. Sounds will be amplified and even their own voice will be different. Explain to them that this is normal and positive. It shouldn’t take long for your child to adjust to wearing a hearing aid and this can greatly improve their quality of life in the future. Let your child practice speaking to you at home and watching their favorite shows. You can then introduce them to new situations such as group conversations with background noise.

Inform friends, family, and teachers

Inform anyone your child may have interactions with about their hearing loss and give them a few tips on how to communicate. You might find teachers have had training in this matter but family members or friends may not be experienced in dealing with hearing loss. Share your experience about the professional tips and advice you’ve been given so that they can improve their quality of communication with your child as well. The more support your child gets from the people around them, the more quickly they’ll adjust to living with hearing loss.

Hearing loss is something that affects many people as they get older and, in a lot of cases, it cannot be avoided. It’s a natural part of aging, but there are treatments available so you can manage it and still live a full life. There are also some simple things that you can do to protect your ears and reduce the chances of hearing loss in the future. 

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Many people underestimate how big the impact of hearing loss can be, which is why ear health is often neglected. Most people assume that it just means not being able to hear as well, but the effects stretch much farther than that. If you experience hearing loss, it is important that you get your ears checked right away and, if necessary, you get some hearing aids. If you already use hearing aids, it is important to keep up with hearing aid maintenance so your hearing issues do not worsen prematurely. Unfortunately, people are reluctant to take these steps because they don’t realize how badly hearing loss can affect your life. Aside from the obvious impact, there are a lot of unexpected problems caused by hearing loss. You may be surprised by some of these side effects of hearing loss. 

Cognitive Decline 

As you get older, it is important to keep your brain active and reduce the chances of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, if you suffer from hearing loss, it can speed up cognitive decline in a big way. You may not realize it, but you are constantly hearing sounds, but your brain filters out a lot of the useless sound so you do not register it. It also helps you to determine the difference between sounds. However, when you experience hearing loss and these sounds are no longer there, it can confuse your brain. It knows that you should be hearing sounds, so it struggles to find them, and this causes a lot of stress on the brain. The lack of stimulus and the extra stress on the brain can lead to a higher chance of cognitive decline. Older people have a forty percent higher chance of developing issues with memory loss if they suffer from hearing loss, so it is vital that you protect your hearing. 

Mental Health Issues 

When you suffer from hearing loss, it is very difficult to engage in social situations. If you are in a loud restaurant, for example, it is hard to pick out conversation over the general background noise. This means that people with hearing loss struggle to get involved in conversations and they may feel self conscious about constantly asking people to repeat themselves. Gradually, over time, they stop attending social situations or they end up sitting quietly in the corner and not engaging with people, and this can be very isolating. Social interaction is very important for our mental health, and the feeling that they are missing out can lead to feelings of isolation and depression in a lot of people. Getting treatment for your hearing loss will allow you to engage in social situations again and help to prevent the mental health issues that are associated with hearing issues. 

Relationship Issues 

Communication in relationships is important, but hearing loss makes that very difficult. It is easy for you to mishear people and that can lead to tensions with your partner if they feel that you are not listening to them. Many couples argue about the issue of hearing loss as well because the people around you will often notice the problem before you do. When people insist that their hearing is fine and they don’t need to seek treatment, this can lead to arguments with the people around them that know that they do have a hearing issue. 

Reduced Earnings 

Hearing loss can impact your ability to work, and studies show that people with hearing loss earn less money, on average. If you mishear instructions from your boss, for example, that can lead to more mistakes, so you are far less likely to be considered for promotions. Hearing loss also creates hurdles in any job where talking on the phone is important because this is particularly difficult for the hard of hearing. The reduction in earnings due to hearing loss will add up over time, and it can make it impossible to reach your career goals as well. 

Hearing loss isn’t as simple as not being able to hear very well. It has so many side effects and it can really affect your quality of life, so if you notice a difference in your hearing, seek treatment right away. 

According to the website, Medicalnewstoday, “Hearing impairment, deafness, or hearing loss refers to the total or partial inability to hear sounds.”

Although medical experts consider this problem to be a significant health concern around the world, the sufferers are substantial contributors to the illness. They fail to realize that just like every illness, hearing loss occurs gradually and goes through different levels/stages before maturing to total deafness.

Fortunately, this article covers the levels of hearing loss to educate you on things to look out for to prevent getting deaf any time soon. Remember to also regularly visit your local hearing clinic, similar to this hearing clinic Tsawwassen. They can give you check-ups to monitor your ear health.

Let’s get started on the different levels of hearing loss.

Mild Hearing Loss

According to medical experts, deafness often begins with a mild hearing loss allowing the sufferers only to hear quiet sounds between the range of 25 to 40 dB. This sound level means they cannot hear the soft ticking of a clock or the continuous dripping of a faucet.

Fortunately, people with mild hearing loss can still keep a one-on-one conversation with you but will find it challenging to catch every uttered word in a noisy environment. Also, hearing aids can rectify this level of hearing loss and amplify the sound going into the ear for better hearing.

If left untreated, mild hearing loss will worsen and become what medical experts call “Moderate Hearing Loss” where the sufferer can only hear sounds within 40 to 70 dB. People in this category will find it relatively difficult to identify every word in a conversation, listen to doorbells, or a telephone ringing.

Luckily, the sufferer can improve his/her listening ability in this phase by using a middle ear implant or hearing aid.

Severe Hearing Loss

If a person with moderate hearing loss leaves his condition unattended, it gradually worsens and leads to Severe Hearing Loss which prevents the sufferer from following a normal one-on-one conversation without hearing aids. If you eventually get to this stage, then things are taking the turn for the worst.

Someone in this level of hearing loss can only hear sounds between 75 to 90 dB range which means they won’t hear the TV, phone ringing, people talking, and almost every sound. Unfortunately, hearing aids might prove ineffective in some cases, thus forcing the sufferer to communicate via a dictionary or any other non-verbal method.

However, to medically improve the listening ability of someone with severe hearing loss, the sufferer must receive middle ear or cochlear implants to rectify the problem adequately.

Profound Hearing Loss

The final level to deafness and the most significant of all is when a sufferer has Profound Hearing Loss. People in this range of hearing loss can only hear sounds within 90 to 120 dB.

This range means that sounds like a chain saw, fire alarms, lawnmower, aeroplane engines, police sirens, loud music, and others won’t even register in their brains. Just like Severe Hearing Loss, a hearing aid is the most ineffective remedy for this problem.

Sufferers will have to rely on non-verbal methods to communicate, like sign language, lip-reading, dictionary, gestures, or other visual cues. However, sign language has always been the most used method for centuries, and I recommend taking beginner classes to learn it gradually.

The most popular solution for Profound Hearing Loss is for the sufferer to have a cochlear implant, which improves an individual’s ability to hear and understand verbally spoken words after surgery and rehabilitation.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve learned about the stages/levels of hearing loss, please understand that although this article is rich in well-researched content, it’s not a substitute for professional/medical advice.

Please consult your audiologist or a certified medical expert before trying anything new.

If you or a friend already suffers from hearing loss and would like to learn Sign Language and other ways to communicate effectively, here’s a list of apps I stumbled upon while doing my research.

Great Apps for Learning Sign Language Skills

Check the list and find an app that’s more to your liking. Some of these tools contain videos and written tutorials to aid in the speedy learning of the language.

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We often take what we can hear for granted. The sounds of cars passing on the street will help to let us know that a road is not safe to cross, the voice of your partner or someone that you are close to will make you feel safe and comfortable, and your favourite song can spark fond memories of happiness. But what would your world be like if you could not hear so well? How would you get on if you started to lose your hearing?

You may think that hearing loss is not something that you will experience anytime soon. There is a commonly held misconception that people will only start to lose their hearing when they get older. But, this is simply not true, and people of any age can experience hearing loss. Sometimes this is because of illness, or a build-up of wax in the ears, and on other times it is due to damage through exposure to loud noises, or as a result of an accident.

Hearing loss can often occur gradually, and as a result, you may not even notice that it is happening to you until you start to miss lots of sounds from the world around you. 

Looking Out For The Signs Of Hearing Loss

There are several different signs that you are experiencing hearing loss. Some common examples of problems that you may face as your hearing starts to deteriorate are that you need to turn the TV up very loud in order to even hear it. If people that you live with keep telling you that the volume is too loud, and you have it set higher than you used to do, then this is a telltale sign that you may have a problem with your hearing. 

If you miss parts of conversations or you always need to ask people to repeat what they have said to you, this is a symptom of hearing loss. When you are out in public and you are chatting with friends or family and you cannot hear what the people you are with are saying, this is also a common sign that you are experiencing hearing loss. 

If you are experiencing any of these problems then you should make an appointment with an audiologist. 

Getting A Hearing Test

When you go to see an audiologist they will ask you a series of general questions about your life and health, this is to see if there might be some causes that are underlying in your hearing loss. Following this, you will be asked to partake in a hearing test that will measure the extent of your ability to hear. This will help the audiologist decide on whether you need a hearing aid. 

If it is suggested that you need a hearing aid, don’t worry. Hearing aids are lightweight, comfortable, and don’t stand out at all. You can learn more here about hearing aids and how technology has evolved in recent years. 

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Hearing aid technology has, over the last decades, improved a lot. While they were traditionally meant to amplify sound in people with hearing impairment, the latest hearing aid trends have progressed into modern processing devices leveraging the newest technological advancements to give users natural sound experiences.

Technology has revolutionized hearing aid listening capabilities and presented a chance to enhance users’ quality of life and interactions with others. As technology levels rise, hearing aids become more sophisticated and have additional features for better communication. This article outlines the latest trends in hearing aid technology.

1. Rechargeable hearing aids

Normal hearing aids utilize small, disposable batteries, which should be removed and changed whenever the device runs out of charge. The latest rechargeable hearing aids come with built-in batteries that don’t have to be removed. They’re charged regularly using a dock or charging station. Rechargeable hearing aids are eco-friendlier because you don’t need to use hundreds of batteries a year to keep them functional.

Rechargeable hearing devices are easier for people with dexterity issues as they don’t have to keep struggling to change small hearing aid batteries. Unlike regular hearing aid batteries, which are hazardous to pets and kids, rechargeable ones are safer. Visit ear care specialists such as HearCanada to determine the type of hearing aid suitable for your needs.

2. Own voice processing

When people first start wearing hearing aids, they mostly complain that they like how their voice sounds. Even when you listen to yourself in a voice recording, you sound different from listening to your natural voice.

This may be due to the way hearing aids process your voice. You can identify the subtle differences resulting from digital processing to a point it doesn’t sound like you. The Own Voice Processing technology (OVP) operates by processing your sound separately from other things. This way, when you listen to it, it sounds closer to your usual, natural voice.

3. Quicker, natural voice processing

Today’s hearing aids can process sound more quickly than ever. This is beneficial for users as they sound more natural. Before, listening devices would take longer to process sounds, resulting in delays between when sounds happen and when you hear them, making the sound seem unnatural and distorted. The latest hearing devices can process sound without delay meaning what you hear via your hearing aids is more natural and clearer.

4. Hearing aids filter background noise

Unlike outdated hearing devices, the birth of digital hearing aids has made things easier. This is because they can process sound to minimize the noises you want to listen to. The newest hearing aids can filter background noise, which comes in handy when in noisy areas and trying to concentrate on what others are saying.

The latest hearing aids have audio settings and pre-set programs that can be programmed based on everyday surroundings. This implies that you can filter background noise during windy weather or in restaurants through sound frequency changes and volume adjustments to improve hearing.

5. Artificial intelligence

While AI and machine learning have been around for a while, this technology is only now used in hearing aids. Hearing devices with AI can automatically change your settings throughout the day based on your environment.

Endnote

Technological advancements have led to the development of hearing aids with more advanced features. Familiarize yourself with these latest trends in hearing aid technology.

Hearing health is so important. Losing your hearing can hinder your quality of life, especially if you don’t lack the right treatment. Some people may not be aware that they have underlying hearing loss issues. Thus, it is always important to be aware of the signs and get a hearing test regularly. For those unaware of the signs of poor hearing health, keep reading. 

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• Issues with hearing on the telephone

Not being able to hear what someone on the other end of the telephone line is saying properly might be a clear sign that you have hearing issues. If the sound is muffled or you often ask them to repeat themselves, then you might want to consider getting your hearing checked. An assessment will clearly show if you have a hearing issue or it is the fault of your telephone.

• Following along with a conversation

Struggling to follow along with a conversation could indicate that you are losing your hearing abilities. You might struggle to keep up with what someone is saying or lose concentration. Both of which can be signs of hearing loss. 

• Neighbors complain about loud TV and radio sounds

If your neighbors often complain that the noises from your house are too loud and you are unaware of them, it could be a sign that you are having the TV up too loud because you cannot hear it. Be polite, turn it down, and get your hearing checked. 

Sounds that are too loud will actually affect your hearing over time, so it is always best to keep it at a normal volume level. 

• Asking people to repeat themselves

If you are an attentive listener yet find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, then you might be experiencing hearing loss. Not being able to hear what someone is saying when they are right in front of you means that your hearing is impaired.

• Tired from conversating

Being tired from having a conversation could be due to trying to decipher what someone is saying and easily losing focus, which are both signs of poor hearing health. Fatigue from talking could also be due to struggling to hear what you are saying to the other person. 

• You ask “what?” all of the time

Asking some “what?” all of the time is a clear sign that you are losing your hearing. It might be that you lose focus too, which can also be a sign of hearing loss. Get your hearing checked to make sure it is not just your attitude. 

• People suggest that you don’t speak clearly 

A common sign of hearing loss is not speaking properly. You might not be aware of it yourself, but others might pick up on it. If someone suggests that you are not speaking as clear as you used too then it will be useful to get your hearing abilities assessed. 

• You have trouble hearing what high pitches voices are saying

Some people that experience hearing loss can only hear low tone noises, such as male voices and humming. Many people that experience hearing loss has a hard time hearing or understanding high pitch noises such as children, women, and ringing noises. Not being able to hear or understand high pitch noises might indicate that you have lost your hearing abilities. 

• Misunderstand what people say

Trying to decipher what someone is saying due to miscommunication might be a clear sign that you are experiencing hearing difficulties. It might be the way the person is talking, their dialect, or speed of speech. Thus, it is a good idea to get it checked or chat with someone else to see if you are experiencing the same issue.

• Easily frustrated in conversation

Becoming easily frustrated in a conversation due to a lack of understanding, hearing, or focus could be due to losing your hearing health. If you find yourself getting irritated mid-conversation, hearing loss might be the issue. 

How to improve your hearing health

Acknowledging the symptoms of poor hearing health is a starting point. Then, getting your hearing assessed by an audiologist is the next step. Even if your signs seem minor, it is best to get your hearing checked so that it doesn’t affect your quality of life. 

For more information on how to improve your hearing health, here are some tips.

Remove earwax

A build-up of earwax might be affecting your hearing abilities. Removing it safely will improve your hearing and prevent a blockage, which can lead to ear infections. Ensure that you are gentle when removing earwax as rupturing the eardrum can lead to worse ear health. 

See an audiologist

Booking in for regular checkups with an audiologist will ensure that your hearing and ear health is always in check. They will assess your hearing and give you the best treatment options, should you need them. 

Train your ears

During an audiologist assessment, they will use methods to assess and train your ears. Techniques such as detecting noises and understanding a conversation with music playing are some of the tests. These tests can also be performed alone outside of the appointment to train your ears. 

Exercise daily

Daily exercise will improve the blood and oxygen flow throughout your body. Your ears require both for good health. A gentle yoga session or walk is enough to get the blood pumping and oxygen flowing for better ear health. 

Decrease your audio

Listening to the TV, music, or the radio too loudly can affect your hearing. Although effects might not be instant, they can take effect over time. Thus, always keep your volume to a good level to protect your ears and reduce the risk of hearing loss.

Learning to maintain and improve your hearing health will ensure that you are less vulnerable to hearing loss and overall poor ear health. Understanding and acknowledging the signs of poor hearing will help you get help quickly so that you can improve the quality of your hearing and your life. Never dismiss the signs as it can lead to worsening your hearing health. 

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When in youth, many of us take a certain amount of pride in running ourselves ragged, in going out and experiencing all life has to offer. While the last year has prevented us from doing that, it can seem that many of us may wish to overcompensate when we return to normality, and who could blame us for doing so?

However, while it can sound boring and yawn-inducing to hear of as a child, caring for your body (no matter how well it can bounce back at the moment) is essential. It’s very important for us to avoid bad habits and to respect our bodies, and their needs. We need to focus on what can sustain us in the long term, and to apply disciplines that help us moderate our vices.

For instance, many people enjoy a drink, but establishing regular binge drinking habits at any time, but especially in youth, can be a problem. The weight of our indiscretions often become harder to bear as we age. We get away with less than we may have done.

For that reason, we believe that no matter what age you are, it’s important to consider how to protect your hearing over time. It’s a sense we often take for granted, but it can be abused. Let’s see how we can avoid that fate:

Monitor Your Volumes

Monitor the volumes you use when listening to playback through headphones, or when attending concerts (hearing protection is well-suited for this), and making sure that you avoid overly loud environments. Hearing damage can often occur in youth based on the environments we put ourselves in or the decisions we make – even if that means neglecting ear protection in a busy work environment. 

Visit Your Doctor When Issues Arise

As soon as you feel a hearing issue arise or you simply feel like you’re saying ‘what?’ more than usual lately, it can be healthy to visit your physician, and from there, an audiologist. They can help confirm if you’re suffering from an issue or not, and to what extent. For instance, tinnitus may signify a neurological problem, or it could mean a heavy buildup of internal earwax.

Don’t Penetrate The Eardrum

Try not to penetrate the eardrum. This involves using ear buds to dig too deeply into the ear canal, using home treatments to remove wax in this context, or pushing ear plugs too deeply into your ear (such as when using in-ear headphones during a workout). It can also be healthy to avoid filling your ears too much at all, as issues such as swimmer’s ears can arise when you neglect to give your ears the breathing room they truly do deserve.

With these efforts, you can prevent bad practices from lessening your hearing quality and contributing to the development of hearing issues. In that respect, you will be doing right by your audiologist, who wants nothing more than for you to hear clearly and to appreciate this sense as much as you can.

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Looking after your health involves so many different areas; we often focus on nutrition and exercise, yet there are many other health concerns. Hearing decline can occur for many reasons, including the natural aging process. While we cannot stop aging, there are several steps we can take to protect our hearing health.

1. The right diet 

To protect your hearing health, eating the right foods can make a difference. While a diet won’t actually cure your hearing ailments, the right diet will protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals can negatively impact all aspects of our health, whether hearing, eyesight or immune system. 

Antioxidants can help to improve our overall health, so ensure that you eat plenty of pecans, blueberries, kale, and spinach. Try magnesium-rich foods, too, including avocado and whole grains. A diet that’s rich in antioxidants is one of the best ways to stay healthy in general.

2 . Turn the volume down

To protect your hearing, you should reduce the volume of your devices, and avoid exposure to overly loud environments. Audiologists suggest that any sounds of 85-decibels or below are safe for consumption and that any higher volumes should be avoided. When listening to audio with headphones, it’s advisable to keep the volume at 60% or less. It’s better to use over-the-ear headphones, as opposed to those that go right inside the ear. Try to be mindful when you listen to all your devices, from the TV to your iPhone.

3. Wear earplugs 

Those who go to clubs or gigs should buy a good pair of earplugs. These can help to protect your ears from high noise levels. Live concerts can reach decibel levels of approximately 100+, and such levels negatively impact your hearing. You can purchase cheap earplugs, yet some people prefer to buy an expensive pair. When you purchase a more expensive pair, it’s more likely that you’ll experience better sound quality. 

4. Clean your ears

Ensure that you clean out your ears regularly to avoid ear-wax or infection. An excess of wax or an ear infection can lead to mild, temporary hearing loss and irritation. All you need to do is use a cotton bud each day to avoid excess moisture. Simple steps like this can make all the difference to your hearing health ongoing.

5. Visit your ENT

It’s essential to make regular visits to your ENT doctor to have your hearing checked. Even if you have no hearing issues, you should go at least every two years. When hearing issues are identified early, it’s easier to stop problems from worsening. There are a number of different hearing aids available today, including ITE hearing aids, BTE hearing aids and ITC hearing aids. Your audiologist or ENT doctor will be able to advise you on the best type of hearing aid, depending on your needs.

Looking after your hearing health doesn’t have to be a chore; with these five simple tips, you’ll have all the preventive measures you need!

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We all take our senses for granted; however, over time, these can deteriorate. 

Losing your hearing can be tough. You’ll miss out on things that people are saying, and it can cause you to become more withdrawn and to avoid certain social situations. 

Hearing loss can impact your enjoyment of your favourite music, and it can affect your overall enjoyment of life. 

Taking care of your hearing health is important, and you should be aware of the signs of hearing loss, and what you can do to avoid them. 

Here’s how you can take better care of your hearing health. 

Turn Down The Volume

If you’re someone who enjoys their music turned up to eleven, unfortunately, by doing this you’re putting your hearing at great risk of getting damaged. 

The hearing loss sustained through damage to the inner ear from loud music is not reversible. While you may be able to wear a hearing aid to help you to be able to hear, it is not curable. 

So, turn down the volume whenever you’re listening to music. 

If you’re using headphones, consider getting noise-cancelling headphones that block out external sounds. You can also check out the list of 12 best home subwoofers which can add to the overall look of your home. Also, many modern devices that play music will have warning signs that come up when you’re listening through headphones. Take heed of these warnings and don’t exceed the recommended volume levels. 

Use Earplugs In Loud Environments

If you need to spend any length of time in a noisy environment, use suitable ear protection. This may mean wearing earplugs if you are attending a concert. You’ll still hear the band play, but you’ll not damage your hearing as you do so. 

If you work in a factory or on a construction site, your employer should provide you with ear protectors. Wear these as directed around any noisy machinery. If these have not been provided, talk with your employers and request them. If they fail to do this, speak with your employment union.

Get A Hearing Test 

If you’re concerned that you’re not quite hearing what other people are saying as well as you should be, or that you have to turn the volume up quite loud on the TV, then it is important that you book yourself in for a hearing test. 

A hearing specialist will be able to identify the extent of your hearing loss and suggest ways to address this. It may be suggested that you need medical help to remove wax or to fight an infection, or it may be suggested that you get a hearing aid. Whatever the suggestion, you’ll be able to enjoy a better quality of hearing once more. 

Keep Your Ears Clean And Dry 

Infections can cause you to develop hearing problems. It is possible to have a build-up of earwax which can impact your ability to ear. 

You can avoid the types of blockages caused by infections by keeping your ears clean and dry.

If you’ve just been swimming or had a bath or shower, tilt your head to each side to allow any trapped water to drain out of your ears. Then, gently pat your ears down with a dry towel. 

If you’re a swimmer, you’ll be prone to getting an infection that is commonly called ‘swimmer’s ear’, to avoid this happening, wear swimmers earplugs to stop the water flowing into your ear canal. 

If you have an earache or cold and flu symptoms, get the help your doctor to treat these. This will stop any underlying lingering infections from affecting your hearing in the longer term. 

If you have a blockage of earwax, your doctor may be able to help to drain this, allowing you to hear fully once more. 

Don’t Put Anything Inside Your Ears

If you are someone that cleans earwax out of your ear canals using a cotton bud, your fingertips, or any other small object, then you are risking damaging your ears even more. 

It is perfectly normal to have some ear wax inside your ears; in fact, it’s actually quite healthy. Your ears are designed to clean themselves. The wax is there to stop dust from getting into the ear canal. 

By pushing a cotton bud tip into your ear, you’re risking prodding and damaging sensitive parts of your inner ear,

If you need to reduce the amount of ear wax because you have a blockage, put ear wax remover into your ears and allow that to break down the wax. You will need to repeat this process over the course of a few days.