Our hearing is one of the most overlooked senses when it comes to protecting our wellbeing. One of the biggest reasons for this is because hearing loss happens so gradually over a long period of time. It’s difficult to tell if you actually have hearing loss or not until you compare your situation to someone else. Perhaps one of your friends or family members mentions that you listen to things on a really loud setting, or maybe you realize that you find it hard to make out conversations when you’re in a crowd.
Whatever the symptoms may be, it’s important to keep your ears protected. Thankfully, this is easier than you might think, but it’s also more important than a lot of people give it credit for.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
There are many different signs of hearing loss that may represent your situation. Here are a couple of common symptoms that you might experience:
- Difficulty making out conversations in a crowded or noisy environment.
- Asking people to repeat themselves regularly.
- Balance-related issues when you get up from a resting position.
- Muffled sounds when listening to people speak.
- Trouble hearing high or low-pitched noises.
If you experience any of these signs then there may be a chance that you have hearing loss.
Should you see a doctor about it?
If you experience the symptoms above then yes, you’ll want to see the best audiologist in your local area to help you identify if you have hearing loss. In some cases, your audiologist may discover that your hearing loss is caused by something treatable. For instance, an ear infection or lots of earwax could cause minor hearing loss and is completely treatable.
However, if your hearing loss is caused by loud sounds or ageing, then you’ll need to look for another solution such as hearing aids. If this is the case for you, your audiologist will help you decide on a suitable pair of hearing aids.
How can you protect your ears?
Even if you currently don’t have hearing loss it’s important for you to protect your ears from potential damage. Make sure you start using earplugs or earmuffs when you’re in a loud situation such as work, a concert or even when you’re using a loud machine. If you’re exposed to loud noises for a long time, it could permanently damage your hearing.
You can get over-the-counter hearing protection options for a fairly low price. All you need to do is buy them and wear them whenever you’re exposed to a loud sound. If you experience loud noises at work, then it’s a good idea to speak to your manager or employer and ask them about hearing protection options.
Start taking your hearing more seriously
Hopefully, this article has shown you that it’s important to protect your hearing. It should also have shown you that it’s fairly easy and inexpensive to protect your ears as long as you’re willing to put a bit of time and effort into it.