Autumn is one of the best times of the year. Picture yourself in a cozy setting, surrounded by the warmth and joy of the season – the sound of children’s giggles on Halloween, the rustle of leaves beneath your feet on a crisp 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 muffled.
Missing out on these sounds can take the joy out of the season. Luckily, if you have issues with your hearing, it might be temporary and triggered by things that are easily avoided or reparable. Take these actions to protect your hearing, and enjoy fall to its fullest.
How to protect your hearing
There is indisputable evidence revealing that exposure to loud sounds can result in short-term hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into a long-term problem. Excessive volume can harm the delicate parts of your inner ear, so it is important to take steps to minimize the danger.
A one-time, very loud sound like an explosion can cause temporary hearing loss, and while immediate medical attention can help minimize the effects, that’s hard to avoid. Longer exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, though, can also cause hearing loss and is often easier to avoid.
Heavy traffic comes in at 85 decibels, and sirens come in at 120 decibels. Along with firecrackers and fireworks, loud music through earbuds can also pose a threat to your hearing. Be cautious when increasing the volume, as the proximity of the sound to your eardrum can result in damage. (Regrettably, there are no exceptions for your favorite song when it comes to earbuds or headphones.)
Among the joys of autumn are outdoor gatherings and performances. The weather is still beautiful, and you might find yourself in a park where you can spark up a grill and spread out a blanket. Exercise caution when sitting directly in front of the speakers as you could be exposed to a powerful 140 decibels of sound. Concerts often reach unsafe decibel levels even at a significant distance.
What’s the most effective course of action to take?
The most ideal thing you can do for yourself is to wear earplugs. You will still be able to hear the music and appreciate the fireworks, just with less possible harm to your hearing. As tempting as it is, try not to keep creeping closer to those speakers as the night goes on.
Safeguard your ears from cold weather
Protecting your ears as the weather cools down and more windy is important to avoid infections. Make certain that you and your family are wearing ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. You might think of your children and grandchildren when you consider ear infections, but adults get them as well. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear is a result of these infections, which also lead to inflammation. You might experience fluid draining from your ear, pain, and hearing loss.
Seek immediate medical attention if you’re noticing symptoms of an ear infection. Not getting treatment for this issue, which might be a warning of a hidden medical condition, poses dangers to your health.
Carefully and successfully eliminate earwax
Earwax, in spite of being annoying, plays a crucial part in snagging dirt, bugs, and debris to stop them from reaching your inner ear. However, an overabundance of earwax can become a problem, especially if it impedes your ability to hear effectively.
The first action in preventing hearing problems caused by earwax is prevention. You may have spent years reaching for a cotton swab or some other item to clear wax, but please break that habit. Cotton swabs push the wax into your ear canal, causing a blockage and hearing loss.
Consider using ear cleaning solutions, such as hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to carefully clean your ears. Allow the drops to sit there for a little while, then tilt your head to help with drainage. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are worried that the blockage is too much, visit a hearing professional. Specialised tools are available to them that will simplify the job.
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs could be to blame
A sudden decline in your hearing abilities after starting a new prescription might be a side effect of the medication itself. Some antibiotics, diuretics, large doses of aspirin, and other drugs can lead to hearing problems. If this is a problem for you, contact your physician right away and ask whether you should continue using your medications.
Be certain to have any decline in your hearing immediately checked out.
Contact a hearing care professional if you are noticing hearing loss this season.