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 giggles on Halloween, the rustle of leaves beneath your feet on a brisk fall day, the relaxing 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.
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 caused by things that are easily avoided or reparable. Follow these guidelines to protect your hearing and fully appreciate the autumn season.
How to safeguard your hearing
There is indisputable evidence showing that exposure to loud noises can result in temporary hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into a long-term issue. Excessive volume can damage the delicate parts of your inner ear, so it is important to take steps to limit the danger.
A sudden, extremely loud noise like an explosion can result in temporary hearing loss, and although timely medical assistance might decrease the effect, it is difficult to prevent. Lengthier exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher, though, can also cause hearing loss and is usually easier to avoid.
The sound level of heavy traffic is about 85 decibels, while sirens reach a much louder 120 decibels. Firecrackers and fireworks can also damage 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 indulging in your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Fall’s festivities often include outdoor get-togethers and live music events. The weather is still lovely, and you might find yourself in a park where you can set up a grill and spread out a blanket. Be careful, though, if you sit right in front of the speakers, you might be hit with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts frequently reach hazardous decibel levels even at a considerable distance.
What’s the most effective course of action to take?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to use earplugs. You will still be able to hear the music and appreciate the fireworks, just with reduced potential harm to your hearing. As tempting as it is, try not to keep sneaking closer to those speakers as the night passes.
Keep your ears safe in chilly temperatures
Protecting your ears as the weather gets colder 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. While ear infections are frequently associated with kids, they can also impact grown-ups, and it’s not only limited to parents and grandparents. These infections cause fluid to accumulate in your middle ear, and they lead to inflammation. Discharge from the ear, discomfort, and impaired hearing are potential symptoms you may encounter.
If you have an ear infection, you should see a doctor right away. Not getting treatment for this problem, which could be a warning of an underlying medical condition, poses risks to your well-being.
Safely clean out earwax
That pesky earwax may get on your nerves, but it serves the important purpose of capturing dirt, bugs, and debris before they reach your inner ear. However, a surplus of earwax can become a problem, especially if it obstructs your ability to hear effectively.
The first step in preventing hearing issues caused by earwax is prevention. You might have spent decades grabbing a cotton swab or some other item to clean wax, but please break that habit. Using cotton swabs can jam earwax deeper into your ear, potentially leading to a blockage and impaired hearing.
Think about using ear cleaning solutions, including hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to gently cleanse your ears. Allow the drops to sit for a short while, then tilt your head to help with drainage. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are afraid that the blockage is too great, visit a hearing specialist. They have specific instruments to make the job easier.
Medications may be the cause
A sudden decrease in your hearing abilities after beginning a new prescription might be a side effect of the medication itself. Some antibiotics, large amounts of aspirin, and different medications like diuretics can trigger problems with hearing. If this is a problem for you, call your doctor immediately and inquire whether you should keep using your medications.
Don’t forget, any changes in your hearing should get checked out right away.
If you’re noticing a decline in your hearing this season, think about speaking with an audiologist or hearing specialist for assistance.
