The fall season is a standout period in the annual calendar. Picture yourself in a relaxing setting, enveloped by the warmth and joy of the season – the sound of children’s laughs on Halloween, the rustle of leaves under your feet on a brisk fall day, the relaxing crackle of a fire, and the love and laughter of family sitting around the table on Thanksgiving. Now picture a scenario where you are unable to hear those sounds or they are dulled.
Failing to hear these sounds can dramatically lessen the cheery atmosphere. Fortunately, many hearing issues are temporary and can be resolved by dealing with underlying causes that are usually simple to fix or prevent. Take these actions to safeguard your hearing, and enjoy fall to its fullest.
How to safeguard your hearing
There is unequivocal evidence showing that exposure to loud noises can result in short-term hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into an irreversible issue. Loud noises damage the sensitive parts of your inner ear, and you should do what you can to mitigate the issue.
A single, very loud sound like an explosion can cause temporary hearing loss, and while immediate medical attention can help minimize the effects, that’s difficult to avoid. Longer exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, however, can also cause hearing loss and is usually easier to avoid.
Heavy traffic comes in at 85 decibels, and sirens are measured at 120 decibels. Firecrackers and fireworks can also damage your hearing. Reconsider putting in earbuds and turning 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 joys of fall are outdoor gets together and performances. The pleasant weather continues, making it an optimal time to head to a nearby park, where you can fire up a barbecue and enjoy a relaxing picnic on a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit right in front of the speakers, you may be hit with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts often reach hazardous decibel levels even at a considerable distance.
So what can you do?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to use earplugs. By taking safety measures, you can minimize the danger of hearing damage while still being able to completely experience the music and fireworks show. As alluring as it is, try not to keep creeping closer to those speakers as the night goes on.
Keep your ears safe in chilly temperatures
Protecting your ears as the weather cools down and more blustery is essential to prevent infections. Make sure that you and your family have on 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 too. These infections cause fluid to build up in your middle ear, and they result in inflammation. You may experience fluid draining from your ear, pain, and hearing loss.
Get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing symptoms of an ear infection. It could 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 prevent them from reaching your inner ear. If you have excessive earwax, though, it can be a concern, particularly if it blocks your hearing.
The first action in preventing hearing issues caused by earwax is prevention. You may have spent decades grabbing a cotton swab or some other item to clean wax, but please break that habit. Making use of cotton swabs can force earwax deeper into your ear, possibly resulting in a buildup and impaired hearing.
Try cleaning your ears by using drops of hydrogen peroxide or purchasing over-the-counter drops. Allow the drops to sit for a short while, then tilt your head to facilitate drainage. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are worried that the blockage is too great, visit a hearing specialist. Special tools are available to them that will streamline the job.
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs might be to blame
If you beging taking a new medication and noticed that you suddenly have a harder time hearing, it could be the medication. Some antibiotics, high amounts of aspirin, and different medications such as diuretics can cause issues with hearing. If this is a problem for you, call your physician right away and ask whether you should continue using your medications.
Don’t forget, any changes in your hearing need to get assessed right away.
Contact a hearing care specialist if you are noticing hearing loss this season.