What To Do If You’re Losing Your Hearing

Hearing loss is a common issue that many people have to deal with. It can make it more difficult for you to keep up with conversations or to hear the television. Sometimes you don’t notice the hearing loss, but other people have to repeat themselves often.

If you think that you or someone you know might be losing their hearing, then there are some steps that you can take to treat it.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is generally associated with old age. As you get older, the tiny structures and hair cells in your ear are subject to wear and tear over time. These hair cells don’t regrow or heal, which means that the damage is permanent.  

This hearing loss might be down to genetic factors, some people are predisposed to lose their hearing earlier than others. You can also experience this hearing loss by damaging your ears. Most commonly, this damage is caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. Concerts, factories, construction sites, and other environments that are known to be noisy are likely to gradually damage your hearing. 

Some illnesses, chronic conditions, and medication or substances can also exacerbate hearing loss. Sometimes this deafness is temporary, especially if it’s caused by an illness, but it can also cause permanent damage, much like a physical injury. Even younger people can experience deafness this way.

One very common cause of temporary deafness is a build up of ear wax. Ear wax can solidify in the ear, causing a blockage to physically prevent sound waves from reaching the structures in your ears. If ignored, this can cause pain, deafness, and may even result in permanent damage. If you think you have earwax build up a quick search of ear wax removal christchurch will help you find a provider to help you remove it.

The good news is that, if you know what’s causing your hearing loss, you might be able to make changes to slow down the deterioration. This is one way to maintain your health and your hearing. Protecting your hearing for as long as possible will benefit you as you get older.

Treating Hearing Loss

However, there will generally come a point when you have to seek treatment for your hearing loss. If it’s interfering with your life, then visit an audiologogist. They will administer a hearing test to determine the extent of your hearing loss. People tend to loss their hearing in stages, the most common first stage being high-frequency hearing loss. 

Once your audiologist has a better understanding of your hearing, then they can determine a treatment plan. They might also explore different causes of your hearing loss. If your hearing loss is temporary, such as ear wax, then they can treat it and restore your hearing.

However, the most common treatment for permeant hearing loss is to prescribe a hearing aid. A hearing aid is a device that goes in or around your ear and amplifies nearby sounds so that you can hear them more easily. With this, you can continue to enjoy a normal quality of life and you won’t miss a thing.