How To Prevent Hearing Loss From Progressing

Hearing loss can affect anyone from young children to the elderly, though it is more common in older adults. Hearing can be the result of the breakdown of the tiny hairs in our inner ears as we age. It can also be caused by exposure to excessive noise over long periods. Medical issues, like ear infections or blockage from wax buildup, can also affect your hearing.

Though audio issues can’t be avoided in all cases, there are ways to slow the progression once it’s begun. You can even take steps to prevent hearing loss in the first place with some simple lifestyle alterations. Speak to your doctor about any ear infections or brain injuries to assess the damage as soon as possible. If prescribed medications, use them as directed to repair the damage and maintain your hearing.

Let’s take a look at the best ways to maintain your hearing for as long as possible.

Nurse holding hands of a senior woman suffering from hearing loss.

Prevent Hearing Loss from Getting Worse

Preventing hearing issues from getting worse after they’ve begun can be tricky, though not impossible. It all depends on the type of loss you’re dealing with. Sensorineural loss is due to exposure to loud noises and aging. These cause the deterioration of tiny ear hair cells that pick up vibrations, transmitting them to your brain as sound.

To avoid losing those hairs, the best method is to avoid noise whenever possible. This includes loud music, sirens, firecrackers, lawn mowers, power tools, and even children’s toys. Keep your music volume low, especially when using earbuds. As for unavoidable noises, ear protection can dull those sounds and protect your hearing.

Proper overall medical health is also a step to preventing the progression of hearing loss. Learning your family history prepares you for any hearing-related medical issues so you can watch for the signs. Regular hearing tests will also alert you to early signs, as can any issues hearing those around you. Avoid an unhealthy diet as it can also cause issues with hearing, so eat well to avoid this.

Conductive hearing issues are caused by injuries or blockage to the outer or middle ear. Tumors, excessive earwax causing blockage, or fluid buildup are all related to this type of hearing problem.

To avoid hearing impairments, safely clear any blockage from your ears by flushing the ear canal.

Can hearing loss be cured?

There is no specific cause for hearing impairments, so curing it to regain your hearing isn’t always possible. For issues caused by injuries, wax blockage, fluid buildup, or tumors, treatment may be possible. If the damage can be repaired or the wax or fluid can be removed, you’ll likely hear as well as you did before the problem occurred.

Sensorineural hearing loss, which results from the deterioration of the tiny hair cells in our ears, is not curable. Once those little hairs are gone, there is no way to get them back. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’re hearing will get worse. Avoiding loud noises and maintaining ear health can prevent progression. There are also a variety of wearable or surgically-implanted hearing aids that can give you back the ability to hear.

This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.