The fall season is a standout time in the yearly calendar. 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 muffled.
Missing out on these sounds can take the joy out of the season. The good news is, if you have issues with your hearing, it may be short-term and triggered by things that are easily avoided or reparable. Follow these suggestions to safeguard your hearing and fully savor the autumn season.
Tips for protecting your hearing
It is clear and undeniable that prolonged exposure to loud noises can result in temporary hearing impairment, and if the exposure continues over time, it can develop into a lasting condition. Excessive volume can harm the delicate components of your inner ear, so it is important to take measures to limit the danger.
A quick, extremely loud noise such as an explosion can result in temporary hearing loss, and although timely medical intervention might reduce the impact, it is tough to prevent. Prolonged exposure to sounds measuring 85 decibels or louder can cause hearing damage and is typically more preventable.
The sound level of heavy traffic measures 85 decibels, while sirens are a far louder 120 decibels. Along with firecrackers and fireworks, loud music through earbuds can also pose a danger to your hearing. Be careful when boosting the volume, as the closeness of the sound to your eardrum can cause damage. Unfortunately, there are no special allowances for indulging in your preferred song with earbuds or headphones.
Autumn’s celebrations typically feature outdoor get-togethers and live music performances. The pleasant weather continues, making it an optimal time to head to a local park, where you can fire up a barbecue and enjoy a relaxing picnic on a blanket. Exercise prudence when sitting directly in front of the speakers because you could be exposed to a powerful 140 decibels of sound. Concerts frequently reach hazardous decibel levels even at a considerable distance.
What’s the most effective course of action to take?
Safeguarding your hearing by wearing earplugs is one of the most beneficial things you can do. By taking safety measures, you can decrease the risk of hearing damage while still being able to completely enjoy the music and fireworks display. As tempting as it is, try not to keep sneaking closer to those speakers as the night goes on.
Protect your ears from cold weather
Safeguarding your ears as the weather gets colder and more blustery is important to prevent infections. Make sure that you and your family are wearing 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. Fluid build-up in the middle ear is an outcome of these infections, which also result in irritation. Discharge from the ear, soreness, and impaired hearing are potential symptoms you may encounter.
Get immediate medical attention if you’re noticing symptoms of an ear infection. Not seeking treatment for this problem, which could be a warning of an underlying medical condition, presents dangers to your health.
Gently and successfully eliminate earwax
That annoying earwax may get on your nerves, but it serves the important function of trapping dirt, bugs, and debris before they reach your inner ear. However, an overabundance of earwax can become a problem, especially if it impedes your ability to hear properly.
The first action in avoiding hearing issues caused by earwax is prevention. You may have spent many years using a cotton swab or another tool to get rid of earwax, but it’s time to stop that method. Cotton swabs push the wax into your ear canal, causing a blockage and hearing loss.
Consider using ear cleaning solutions, including hydrogen peroxide or store-bought ear drops, to gently cleanse your ears. Allow the drops to sit there for a little while, then tilt your head to facilitate drainage. Think about getting in touch with an audiologist or hearing specialist if ear cleaning seems daunting or if you suspect a severe blockage. They have special instruments to make the job easier.
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs could be to blame
A sudden decline in your hearing abilities after starting a new prescription could be a side effect of the medication itself. Certain antibiotics, diuretics, large doses of aspirin, and other drugs can lead to hearing problems. If you are concerned about this matter, contact your physician right away to figure out whether you should continue taking your medication.
Remember, any changes in your hearing need to get assessed immediately.
Contact a hearing care professional if you are noticing hearing loss this season.