Autumn is one of the best times of the year. Imagine yourself settling back and enjoying the sounds– kids laughing on Halloween, the leaves crunching as you walk, the fire crackling, and your family around the table at Thanksgiving. Now picture a situation where you are unable to hear those sounds or they are dulled.
Failing to hear these sounds can significantly diminish the festive atmosphere. Fortunately, many hearing problems are non permanent and can be resolved by dealing with underlying causes that are often simple to correct or prevent. Take these actions to safeguard your hearing, and enjoy fall to its fullest.
Tips for preserving your hearing
There is unequivocal evidence showing that exposure to loud sounds can lead to short-term hearing loss and that long-term exposure can turn it into an irreversible problem. Loud noises damage the delicate parts of your inner ear, and you should do what you can to minimize the problem.
A one-time, very loud sound like an explosion can lead to temporary hearing loss, and while immediate medical attention can help limit the effects, that’s difficult to avoid. Longer exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, however, can also cause hearing loss and is often easier to avoid.
Heavy traffic clocks in at 85 decibels, and sirens are measured at 120 decibels. In addition to firecrackers and fireworks, loud music through earbuds can also pose a danger to your hearing. Be careful when increasing the volume, as the closeness of the sound to your eardrum can result in damage. Regrettably, there are no special allowances for indulging in your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Fall’s celebrations often feature outdoor parties and live music events. The enjoyable weather continues, making it an ideal time to head to a nearby park, where you can fire up a barbecue and enjoy a relaxing picnic on a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit right in front of the speakers, you might be confronted with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts often reach unsafe decibel levels even at a significant distance.
So what should you do?
The most ideal thing you can do for yourself is to use earplugs. You will still be able to hear the music and appreciate the fireworks, just with reduced possible damage to your hearing. Resist the urge to nudge closer to the speakers as the evening goes on, no matter how enticing it may be.
Keep your ears safe in cool temperatures
It is essential to protect your ears from infections as the temperature decreases and the wind becomes more powerful. Make sure that you and your family have on ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. You might think of your children and grandchildren when you think of ear infections, but adults get them too. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear is an outcome of these infections, which also lead to irritation. You may experience fluid draining from your ear, pain, and hearing loss.
Seek immediate medical attention if you’re noticing symptoms of an ear infection. Not seeking treatment for this problem, which could be a warning of a hidden medical condition, presents dangers to your health.
Safely clear out earwax
That pesky earwax may get on your nerves, but it serves the important purpose of trapping dirt, bugs, and debris before they reach your inner ear. If you have too much earwax, though, it can be a problem, especially if it obstructs your hearing.
The first step in preventing hearing problems caused by earwax is prevention. You might have spent decades grabbing a cotton swab or some other item to clean wax, but please break that habit. Using cotton swabs can jam earwax deeper into your ear, potentially leading to a blockage and impaired hearing.
Consider utilizing ear cleaning solutions, including hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter ear drops, to carefully clean your ears. Allow the drops to sit for a little 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 special tools to make the job easier.
Medications may be the cause
If you beging taking a new medicine and noticed that you suddenly have a harder time hearing, it might be the medication. Some antibiotics, high amounts of aspirin, and various medications like diuretics can cause issues with hearing. If you are worried about this matter, contact your physician right away to find out whether you should keep taking your medication.
Don’t forget, any changes in your hearing need to get assessed immediately.
Get in touch with a hearing care specialist if you are experiencing hearing loss this season.
