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How To Prevent Hearing Loss From Getting Worse

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Your Hearing Loss Is Getting Worse Can You Prevent It

My hearing loss is getting worse.

by Gomer Hearing Center | Aug 29, 2018 | Hearing Loss Articles

Its typical to have hearing loss as you get older but does it need to happen? As they begin to grow older, most adults will notice a subtle change in their hearing. That change is just the effect of years and years of listening to sound. Just like most things in life, though, prevention is the key to regulating the extent of that loss and how quickly it advances. Later on in your life, the extent of your hearing loss will depend on the choices you make now. You should think about it sooner than later because you can still lessen further loss of hearing. What can be done to keep your hearing loss from becoming worse?

Can You Prevent Hearing Loss From Getting Worse

More than 5 percent of the worlds population have some kind of hearing loss. One in ten people has impaired hearing that can be classified as disabling. If you learn that you have hearing loss, one of the main concerns you may have is whether the condition will worsen over time and what steps you can take to prevent hearing loss from getting worse. It is important to understand that every case of hearing loss is different and that whether or not your hearing will continue to deteriorate may depend, in part, on its cause.

There are many causes of hearing loss, two of which are age and noise. Hearing loss that is caused by age or noise cannot be eliminated or reversed. However, you can take steps to preserve your remaining hearing and improve your quality of life.

Wear Your Hearing Aids

You may have already been diagnosed with hearing loss and have received hearing aids to treat the condition. Heres the big question: do you wear them every day? Many patients go through the hearing restoration process only to avoid wearing their devices as instructed, allowing their conditions to go untreated and their hearing to deteriorate more quickly.

When you neglect to put in your hearing aids, your brain cannot receive and process sounds. The hearing centers in the brain have nothing to do, so they begin to shut down. As the auditory region of the brain begins to atrophy, cognitive function in the brain begins to break, opening the patient up to early dementia.

Patients who do not wear their hearing aids are also more likely to suffer physical and emotional problems. The stress of being unable to hear can be frustrating and physically draining, making patients less active and more prone to injury. Patients also suffer depression, anxiety,;and social isolation as a result of untreated hearing loss. In a very real sense, wearing your hearing aids can improve nearly every facet of your life.

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Devices To Help With Hearing Loss

Your doctor or specialist may suggest you get a hearing aid. Hearing aids are electronic, battery-run devices that make sounds louder. There are many types of hearing aids. Before buying a hearing aid, find out if your health insurance will cover the cost. Also, ask if you can have a trial period so you can make sure the device is right for you. An audiologist or hearing aid specialist will show you how to use your hearing aid.

Assistive-listening devices, mobile apps, alerting devices, and cochlear implants can help some people with hearing loss. Cochlear implants are electronic devices for people with severe hearing loss. They dont work for all types of hearing loss. Alert systems can work with doorbells, smoke detectors, and alarm clocks to send you visual signals or vibrations. For example, a flashing light can let you know someone is at the door or the phone is ringing. Some people rely on the vibration setting on their cell phones to alert them to calls.

Over-the-counter hearing aids are a new category of regulated hearing devices that adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss will be able to buy without a prescription. OTC hearing aids will make certain sounds louder to help people with hearing loss listen, communicate, and take part more fully in daily activities. OTC hearing aids are expected to become available in stores and online in the next few years.

What If I Already Have Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Causes and How to Prevent it from Getting ...
Protect your hearing from getting worse and learn ways to help you hear better and adapt to your hearing loss.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that children who have hearing loss receive special education during ages 3 to 21 years. For more information, visit CDCs Hearing Loss in Children webpage.

Take Steps to Keep It from Getting Worse

There is no medical or surgical treatment for hearing loss caused by noise. Damaged hair cells do not grow back. As much as possible, you should try to protect your hearing. If you do have hearing loss, you should take steps to keep it from getting worse.

  • Avoid noisy places whenever possible.
  • Use earplugs, protective ear muffs, or noise-canceling headphones when around loud noises.
  • Keep the volume down when listening through earbuds or headphones.
  • Ask your doctor for a hearing checkup if you suspect you have hearing loss.

If you develop a sudden hearing loss, contact your doctor immediately. Some treatments may help minimize the damage and reduce the severity of the hearing loss.

Many people with hearing loss can still hear some sounds. If you already have a hearing loss, there are ways to help you make the most out of the hearing you have. Read about the methods and devices below that can help.

Things You Can Do to Help Compensate for Your Hearing Loss

Consider Using a Device to Help You Hear

If you already have a hearing loss, hearing devices can help you make the most out of the hearing you have.

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Small Ways You Can Stop Your Hearing Loss From Getting Worse

  • Date: August 16, 2018

Every New Years Eve, people worldwide make resolutions to make their next year a little bit better. Many resolve to exercise more, watch less TV, or take more vacations, focusing on their mental and physical health. However, resolutions involving hearing health are often overlooked, despite the fact that hearing ability is directly related to both emotional and mental well-being.

Expert Guide: How To Prevent Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is exceptionally common. Around 5% of the worlds total population has severe and disabling hearing loss. In the UK alone, 12 million people suffer from hearing loss, which is roughly one in six. These are concerning statistics, but its not all doom and gloom. Many causes of hearing loss, as well as causes of deafness, are actually preventable and treatable. If youre worried about your hearing and are looking for ways to prevent hearing loss, the experts at Regain Hearing are here to offer some advice.

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Take Precautions At Work

If you’re exposed to loud noises through your work, speak to;your;human resources department or occupational health manager.

Your employer is obliged to make changes to reduce your exposure to;loud noise, for example, by:

  • switching to quieter equipment if possible
  • making sure you’re not exposed to loud noise for long periods
  • providing hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs

Make sure you wear any hearing protection you’re given.

How To Prevent Hearing Loss

How to get rid of hearing loss naturally

Contributedby Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy HearingThis content was last reviewed on:June 2nd, 20212021-06-02 00:00:00Lifelong hearing health starts with you. Learn how to prevent hearing loss with these easy steps you can take at work and at play. 2021Preventionhttp://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-loss/prevention

Lifelong hearing health starts with you. Learn how to prevent hearing loss with these easy steps you can take at work and at play.

While not all types of hearing loss are preventable, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing age-related hearing loss;and/or noise-induced hearing loss.

It’s never too earlyor too lateto begin wearing hearing protection around loud noises. And adopting a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor’s advice can go a long way to protecting your hearing health. ;

We can’t stress enough the importance of;reducing your exposure to loud noise but there are other healthy habits that will also help you preserve your hearing as you get older:

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How To Avoid Hearing Loss As A Drummer

Did you know that the sound threshold for pain was a staggering 125 dB? Thats about the sound a balloon makes when it pops. But if you go to a rock concert, youll be exposed to 130 dB of noise. Levels this high is going to cause hearing problems even if only temporary.

Yes, its true that your ears can repair themselves, but there is only so much the ear can do. The regeneration rate of our ears is determined by a variety of factors, such as genetics, diet, stress, and our general health.

Since the regeneration is going to be different for each person, there its hard to say how much noise you can be exposed to before you begin to have problems.

Of course, you can avoid hearing loss, or reduce the effects of prolonged exposure to loud music by taking simple precautions, such as:

Get Your Free Otofonix Hearing Test

Be sure to take advantage of our free online hearing test to help you determine whether you should be wearing a hearing aid. Once you have established your level of hearing loss, it will be easier to select which devices are most suitable for your needs.

Whats more, our hearing aids cost a fraction of what youd pay for prescription models. Here at Otofonix, we have helped countless people improve their hearing with our affordable hearing aids. If you are ready to improve your quality of life, we invite you to contact us so we can help you in your journey to better hearing.

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How Loud Is Too Loud

Youre probably exposing yourself to dangerous noise levels if:

  • if you need to shout to be heard by a person 1 metre away from you
  • youre listening to music through headphones and cant hear traffic sounds or people talking near you

If you hear ringing in your ears after an event or a day at work, it was too loud. If you have a lot of days like that, you will almost certainly damage your hearing.

Wearing Hearing Aids Means Im Old And Im Not Ready For That

Can You Prevent Hearing Loss from Getting Worse?

Its normal to feel worried that hearing loss means youre agingand to want to hide it. Plenty of people with a hearing impairment sit silently rather than joining in conversations and activities, because they fear that hearing problems will make them seem helpless or less than competent. The truth: Connecting with others can help your brain stay younger and keep you involved with life.

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Too Much Sun Can Be Dangerous

Most people love spending time outdoors when the sun is shining, but we know we must shield ourselves against overexposure. Thats because, despite how great the sun feels on our skin, there is a hidden danger associated with too much sunshine, ultraviolet rays.

Believe it or not, UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation and can cause everything from sunburn to wrinkles and even certain types of cancers. So, heed your mothers advice and wear sunscreen when you go outside. But did your mother warn you that you may still be at risk of UV rays while at home?

Most people believe windows block UV light, but thats not true. In fact, according to the International Ultraviolet Association, close to 100 percent of UV-A waves easily pass through standard windows. Although not as destructive as UV-B rays, UV-A rays can still cause indirect damage to your DNA, promoting premature aging and some varieties of skin cancer.

And while a persons physical health is of the utmost importance, UV rays can damage the items inside of a home as well. Exposing furnishings to UV rays can lead to unwanted fading. This process is called photodegradation and is due to the UV breaking down the chemical bonds of dyes. Sun damage is most apparent in drapes, curtains, rugs and upholstered furniture, but it can even affect hard surfaces.

Can I Prevent Hearing Impairment

Many cases of hearing loss or deafness are not preventable; however, hearing loss caused by loud noise can be prevented, and prevention efforts can start at any age . There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of this type of hearing loss.

The intensity of sound is measured in units called , and any sounds over 80 decibels are considered hazardous with prolonged exposure. These include things like loud music, sirens and engines, and power tools such as jackhammers and leaf blowers.

To reduce the risk of permanent hearing damage, you can:

  • Turn down the volume on your stereo, TV, and especially the headset on your music player.
  • Wear earplugs if you’re going to a loud concert or other event . Special protective earmuffs are a good idea if you operate a lawn mower or leaf or snow blower, or at a particularly loud event, like a car race. If you feel your hearing is different after being at;an event with a lot of noise , it means you’re probably experiencing a temporary hearing loss due to noise. Don’t worry, it will go away , but it means that next time you want to participate in the same event, you should wear protection for your ears to avoid a permanent hearing loss.
  • See your doctor right away if you suspect any problems with your hearing, and get your hearing tested on a regular basis.

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Noise And Hearing Loss

Noise is considered the second leading cause of hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss, or acoustic trauma, is the result of being repeatedly exposed to very loud noises. This type of hearing loss affects people of all ages and can be caused by spending an inordinate amount of time around loud music, motorcycles, airplane travel, lawnmowers, or any other device or event that produces high-decibel noises.

To prevent hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure from progressing, it is important that you are extra aware of your environment and make an effort to avoid the loud noises that have been affecting your hearing. If you are unable to avoid such noises, such as those at your place of work, be sure to wear the appropriate hearing protection gear.

What Causes Hearing Loss

If I don’t get hearing aids will my hearing loss get worse?

Hearing loss can be caused by

  • years of exposure to noise, which is especially true for people who work in loud environments, such as live music venues, mining, building or farming
  • ear infections
  • exposure to certain chemicals or medications including aspirin, some antibiotics and some cancer drugs
  • listening to very loud music with headphones

Nearly everybody finds their hearing gets worse as they get older. In some cases, genetics plays a part and some families develop hearing problems earlier in life than other families.

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Try To Avoid Noisy Places

If possible, its best to stay away from loud environments. Since most of us arent walking around with sound level meters, we need another way to tell when the noise level is not safe for our ears. One sign the surroundings are too noisy is you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone who is within three feet.

Stop Smoking And Vaping And Limit Drinking

Studies definitively show that;cigarette smokewhether directly, secondhand, or even in uterocan have a big impact on a person’s hearing health. Likewise with heavy alcohol use, which can create a toxic environment in the ear. Vaping and hearing loss isn’t as well-studied, but there are anecdotal reports linking it to sudden hearing loss.

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How To Cope With Hearing Loss

If you notice signs of hearing loss, talk to your doctor. If you have trouble hearing, you should:

  • Let people know you have a hearing problem.
  • Ask people to face you and to speak more slowly and clearly. Also, ask them to speak louder without shouting.
  • Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.
  • Let the person talking know if you do not understand what he or she said.
  • Ask the person speaking to reword a sentence and try again.
  • Find a good location to listen. Place yourself between the speaker and sources of noise and look for quieter places to talk.

The most important thing you can do if you think you have a hearing problem is to seek professional advice. Your family doctor may be able to diagnose and treat your hearing problem. Or, your doctor may refer you to other experts, like an otolaryngologist or an audiologist .

When To See A Doctor

How to prevent hearing loss as we get older

See a doctor if you often have a hard time hearing, have ringing in your ears, or if you experience a lot of hearing-related frustration.

Some symptoms can be a sign of a different or more serious condition that might require more treatment or testing, like Ménières disease. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms along with hearing loss:

  • Headache
  • Ear noises that start after you hurt your head
  • Consistent noise in one ear over a long period of time

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