Autumn brings in its own compelling sounds you won’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching beneath your feet, and children laughing and playing. Now imagine those sounds fading away or becoming muffled, decreasing your enjoyment of these cherished moments.
Luckily, your autumn experience doesn’t need to be jeopardized because many of the causes of hearing loss can be avoided by taking some basic protective steps. Make sure you don’t miss fall’s amazing soundscape, and be assertive about safeguarding your hearing.
Safeguard your hearing from loud sounds
Loud noises are one of the most common causes of both temporary and permanent hearing impairment. Hearing loss can begin to occur when you’re exposed to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) causing damage to the sensitive structures of the inner ear.
Harmful noise – some prevalent sources
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
- Sirens: 120 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
One-time loud events can cause temporary hearing loss, and while prompt medical care can help, it isn’t always possible to reverse the damage. Repeated exposure to loud noises, like attending concerts regularly, or listening to loud audio on headphones every day, can cause more irreversible hearing loss.
Tips for protecting your ears in autumn
- Avoid sitting beside loudspeakers: While getting right up next to the action may be tempting, the volume level right beside the loudspeakers is dangerously loud and can absolutely damage your hearing.
- Turn down your headphones: In order to prevent damage, listen at a lower volume level and reduce headphone usage.
- Wear earplugs at events: If you go to outdoor concerts or Halloween gatherings, use earplugs to reduce the volume without muting the experience.
Cold weather and ear health
Remember to safeguard your ears from the cold as temperatures drop. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your hearing, leaving you vulnerable to ear infections. Adults are just as susceptible to ear infections as children, particularly when exposed to cold and windy conditions.
The danger of ear infections
Cold air can trigger swelling and fluid buildup in the middle ear, resulting in discomfort, pain, and temporary hearing loss. Neglected ear infections can cause more serious complications, affecting both your hearing and total health.
Protecting your ears when it’s cold
- Pay attention to symptoms: Get assessed and treated by a healthcare provider right away if you experience sudden hearing loss, have pain in your ear, or have any fluid draining from your ear.
- Wear ear protection: Keep your ears warm by completely covering them with a hat, earmuffs, or a headband.
Guidelines for safe ear cleaning
While earwax is often viewed as a nuisance, it plays a vital role in keeping your ears healthy by capturing dust, debris, and insects. However, excessive earwax can become problematic, especially if it blocks your hearing.
You should never clean your ears with cotton swabs as they can push earwax further into the ear canal and potentially cause ear damage. Better cleaning methods include:
- Consult a professional: Come in to see us if you suspect you may have a wax blockage or if you’re unsure how to best clean your ears. We can prevent further issues by making use of specialized tools to safely clear out the earwax.
- Hydrogen peroxide drops: Use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or an over-the-counter earwax solution to soften and clear away excess wax. Let the solution sit for several minutes, then tip your head to allow it to drain.
Hearing loss induced by medication
Hearing issues are one of the unexpected side effects of some medications. Common medications including certain antibiotics, diuretics, and even large dosages of aspirin can impair your hearing.
If you observe changes in your hearing after beginning a new medication, it’s important to contact your physician. Whether your hearing loss is caused by a new medication, and if so, what to do about it, are things they will help you with.
Take action at the first indication of hearing loss
Fall is filled with memorable sounds you don’t want to miss. Schedule an appointment for a consultation if you notice any changes to your hearing.