Age may strip us of our senses. Many older people suffer from hearing and vision loss. Many people believe that age is the only factor in determining such impairments. Your lifestyle has a significant impact on your body. Many factors can exacerbate a genetic hearing loss or an age-related one. We’ll explore in this article which factors can affect your hearing abilities. You can age and reduce the impact of these factors.
Keep the volume low
The cochlea is located in your inner ear and plays an important role in hearing. Loud noises can damage the membranes and hair cells of the cochlea. These are responsible for converting the sound waves to electrical signals that go to the brain. Damage to hair cells reduces the amount of signals that reach the brain. These cells cannot regenerate, and if they are killed by prolonged exposure to loud noises, it will result in permanent hearing loss. Noise can also affect the auditory nerve which transmits electrical signals from the brain.
Your headphones can also damage your ears if you listen to loud noise. Keep the volume down and protect your ears while you still have time.
Protect your ears
If you’re constantly exposed to loud noises that you cannot control, such as equipment or ambient noises, you should invest in noise-cancelling gadgets or earplugs. These absorb the waves reaching your ears and protect the cells and membranes inside.
You should also protect your ears from dampness, as this can lead to bacterial infections. Excess wax can prevent water from evaporating. If you enjoy swimming or other activities that require a lot of noise, consider investing in earplugs. When your ears become damp, gently dry them with towels.
It is important for your ear to have a normal amount of wax in order to protect it from bacterial invasion. Removing this excessively will damage your ear. Cotton swabs can damage your eardrums if they are inserted too deeply. If you think there is excessive accumulation of wax, clean gently the area surrounding the ear canal. If you are around water a lot, use a wax-thinning fluid.
Talk to your doctor about the medication you are taking
Self-prescription drugs can be harmful to your health. Over 200 medications are ototoxic and can harm the ears. You may not be able to stop taking your medication if this is the case. Always discuss side effects with your doctor. If you are at high risk for hearing loss due to genetics or certain diseases, work closely with an audiologist.
Do not ignore pain, pressure, or ringing in your ears
Never ignore pressure or pus in your ear. Tinnitus can cause ringing in the ear, while pain and pressure are underlying symptoms. Hearing loss can be caused by ear disorders. Your hearing health is better if you treat and diagnose the problem early.
Endnote
No matter what your age, maintaining your health on a short-term and long-term basis should be your number one priority. Maintaining your hearing health is as simple as protecting your ears and ensuring that you are exposed to low levels of noise. Never ignore ear-related problems and always discuss medication with your doctor. If you wear hearing aids, it is important to have your hearing tested periodically and to maintain them properly. Helix Hearing Care provides excellent services. Consult them if your hearing is a problem.
