Hearing Loss Prevention Doctors in NC
Hearing Loss Prevention
About Hearing Loss Prevention
Millions of Americans have hearing loss, and in many cases, their hearing loss was entirely preventable. While there can be certain factors which can increase your risk of hearing loss, our hearing specialists want to help you learn more about how you can protect your hearing to prevent future hearing loss.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevention
Sensorineural hearing loss is often associated with noise-induced hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is brought on when the delicate hair cells in your inner ear become damaged. The damage often happens due to loud noise expose, and once these hairs are damaged, your hearing loss is irreversible.
To help understand the various noise levels and how your hearing acts, feel free to consult the decibel scale (dB) graphic below as we explain further.
Basic awareness of what decibel levels are damaging is important to help you prevent hearing loss. To start, sounds between 85-95 dB are when hearing loss can begin. Sounds in this range generally require longer exposure to cause damage, so about 1 ½ - 2 hours of being exposed, hearing loss can occur.
However, not all types of noise-induced hearing loss require long term exposure. Explosively loud sounds, such as fireworks and gunshots can reach dB levels above 140 dB. Exposure to these levels can damage your hearing in a matter of minutes.
In many cases, we can tell that something is too loud for our hearing, as it will register as painfully loud. However, if you know you will be attending a noisy event such as a concert, it would be a good idea to pack a pair of earplugs.
Prevent Hearing Loss Due To Other Environmental Factors
There are other environmental factors which can lead to hearing loss. Some of the top things you can do to prevent hearing loss are:
Protect your head and neck - Whether you enjoy mountain biking, four-wheeling, or other activities where you could suffer head or neck injuries, do your best to follow the best safety practices. Injuries to the head or neck can lead not only to painful rehabilitation but can also cause hearing loss.
Check your medication - Many people take hearing damaging ototoxic medications every day. These medications are not limited to prescription pills; simple over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin can cause hearing loss, though not all of the medications have a permanent effect on your hearing.
Do not insert things in your ear - It sounds simple, but many people can’t resist the urge to try and “clean” their ears with inappropriate items like Q-tips. If you do struggle with earwax buildup, our hearing specialists can safely remove the blockage and provide you with at-home solutions which are safe to use.
Use appropriate hearing protection - There are many types of hearing protection, and by using the right one for your need, you can keep your hearing healthy.
Schedule An Appointment
We pride ourselves on taking the time to give our complete attention to each and every person who comes in our door. Whether you’ve had problems with hearing aids in the past, need a hearing test, or would like to consult a member of our expert staff, you can be sure that we’ll treat you like a member of the family.
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