The remaining hearing you have after hearing loss is called your residual hearing. Hearing loss is not a one-time occurrence but rather a state that can develop over time. While you may not be able to entirely prevent your hearing loss from progressing, there are ways that you can avoid losing more than you need to, including but not limited to:
- Protecting your hearing
- Engaging your hearing
Let’s look at each of these a little more closely.
Protecting Your Hearing
Common causes of hearing loss include loud noise exposure, illness and physical trauma to the ears. Some ways in which you can protect from these causes include:
- Limit loud noise exposure. Loud noise can come from construction, traffic, music and more. While you may not be able to avoid certain amounts of loud noise, there are steps you can take to prevent damage. If you will be exposed to loud noise for a prolonged period, consider wearing earplugs or earmuffs. Ear protection works by dampening the force with which sound hits your ear, thereby lessening its damaging effect. If you can control the volume of the noise around you, keep it below 70 decibels and minimize the length of time you hear it.
- See a doctor. Certain illnesses, such as meningitis, chickenpox, measles and more, can result in hearing loss. Though hearing loss as the result of a virus cannot always be avoided, early treatment can help decrease the likelihood that it occurs. If you or your child starts exhibiting symptoms of these illnesses, immediately make an appointment with a doctor for treatment and remember to keep up with vaccinations to ward off preventable diseases.
- Wear a helmet. Physical trauma to the ear canal can damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear if you are involved in injury-prone sports like football at Walnut Grove Park or rollerblading around town.
Engaging Your Hearing
Not only do hearing aids help improve communication, manage tinnitus symptoms and make you more aware of your surroundings, but they also help engage your hearing to stave off the progression of hearing loss.
A study on auditory deprivation in children found that lack of stimulation of the auditory center can lead to “weakening or loss of the ability to process auditory information in the central auditory system.” The auditory center is like any muscle in the body; it needs to be exercised and stimulated to prevent deterioration. Hearing aids help prevent the progression of hearing loss by actively engaging the auditory center of the brain.
For more tips on protecting your hearing, contact Ear Specialists of Omaha & Bellevue today to speak to one of our specialists.