Autumn is one of the best times of the year. Picture yourself in a relaxing setting, surrounded by the warmth and joy of the season – the sound of children’s laughs on Halloween, the rustle of leaves beneath your feet on a brisk fall day, the soothing crackle of a fire, and the love and laughter of family gathered around the table on Thanksgiving. Now imagine that you can’t hear those things or that they are muted.
Failing to experience these sounds can considerably diminish the festive atmosphere. Luckily, if you have problems with your hearing, it might be short-term and caused by things that are easily avoided or fixable. Take these steps to safeguard your hearing, and enjoy fall to its fullest.
How to safeguard your hearing
There is indisputable evidence revealing that exposure to loud noises can result in short-term hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into an irreversible problem. Excessive volume can harm the delicate components of your inner ear, so it is important to take steps to limit the danger.
A quick, extremely loud noise like an explosion can trigger temporary hearing impairment, and though prompt medical intervention may reduce the impact, it is tough to prevent. Prolonged exposure to sounds measuring 85 decibels or louder can cause hearing damage and is typically more preventable.
Heavy traffic clocks in at 85 decibels, and sirens are measured at 120 decibels. Firecrackers and fireworks can also harm your hearing. Think twice about putting on earbuds and cranking up the music, as the sound is even closer to your inner ear. Regrettably, there are no special allowances for enjoying your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Among the highlights of fall are outdoor gatherings and performances. 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. Use prudence when sitting directly beside the speakers as you could be exposed to a powerful 140 decibels of sound. Even further back, the decibel level at concerts is usually in the danger zone.
What’s the best course of action to take?
Protecting your hearing by using earplugs is one of the most beneficial things you can do. By taking precautions, you can minimize the danger of hearing damage while still being able to completely enjoy the music and fireworks show. Resist the impulse to nudge closer to the speakers as the evening wears on, no matter how tempting it might be.
Protect your ears from cold weather
Protecting your ears as the weather gets colder and more windy is important to avoid infections. Make certain that you and your family have on ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. You may think of your children and grandchildren when you think of ear infections, but adults get them too. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear is a result of these infections, which also lead to irritation. Discharge from the ear, soreness, and impaired hearing are possible symptoms you may encounter.
If you have an ear infection, you should consult a physician as soon as possible. It might be a sign of another medical problem, and lack of treatment is hazardous not only for your hearing but also for your overall health.
Safely clean out earwax
Earwax, despite being annoying, plays a crucial role in snagging dirt, bugs, and debris to stop them from reaching your inner ear. If you have excessive earwax, though, it can be a problem, especially if it blocks your hearing.
Prevention is key to avoiding hearing problems caused by earwax. You might have spent many years utilizing a cotton swab or another tool to remove earwax, but it’s time to stop that practice. Using cotton swabs can force earwax deeper into your ear, potentially resulting in a buildup and impaired hearing.
Think about using ear cleaning solutions, including hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to gently cleanse your ears. Let the drops sit for a few minutes, and then tilt your head to let them drain. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are afraid that the blockage is too great, visit a hearing professional. Specialised tools are available to them that will simplify the task.
Medications might be the cause
If you beging taking a new medicine and discovered that you suddenly have a more difficult time hearing, it might be the medication. Some antibiotics, large amounts of aspirin, and different medications such as diuretics can cause issues with hearing. If you are worried about this matter, contact your doctor right away to find out whether you should keep using your medication.
Be certain to have any decrease in your hearing promptly examined.
Get in touch with a hearing care professional if you are noticing hearing loss this season.