Autumn is one of the best times of the year. 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 under your feet on a crisp autumn 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.
Failing to experience these sounds can considerably lessen the festive atmosphere. Luckily, if you have problems with your hearing, it may be temporary and triggered by things that are easily avoided or reparable. Follow these suggestions to safeguard your hearing and fully savor the autumn season.
How to protect your hearing
There is unequivocal evidence showing that exposure to loud noises can result in short-term hearing loss and that repeated exposure can turn it into a long-term problem. Excessive volume can harm the delicate parts of your inner ear, so it is essential to take measures to limit the danger.
A single, very loud sound like an explosion can lead to short-term hearing loss, and while immediate medical attention can help minimize the effects, that’s difficult to avoid. Prolonged exposure to sounds measuring 85 decibels or louder can lead to hearing damage and is generally more preventable.
Heavy traffic comes in at 85 decibels, and sirens come in at 120 decibels. Firecrackers and fireworks can also harm your hearing. Think twice about putting on earbuds and turning up the music, as the sound is even closer to your inner ear. (Regrettably, there are no exemptions for your favorite song when it comes to earbuds or headphones.)
Among the joys of fall are outdoor gets together and concerts. The enjoyable weather continues, making it an ideal time to head to a nearby park, where you can fire up a barbecue and take pleasure in a relaxing picnic on a blanket. Take care, though, if you sit directly in front of the speakers, you might be confronted with a whopping 140 decibels. Concerts frequently reach hazardous decibel levels even at a significant distance.
So what should you do?
Safeguarding your hearing by using earplugs is one of the most helpful things you can do. You will still be able to hear the music and appreciate the fireworks, just with reduced possible harm to your hearing. Resist the urge to nudge closer to the speakers as the evening goes on, no matter how enticing it may be.
Safeguard your ears from cold weather
It is imperative to safeguard your ears from infections as the temperature decreases and the wind becomes more powerful. Make sure that you and your family are wearing ear protection like ear muffs or a hat. While ear infections are often associated with children, they can also impact grown-ups, and it’s not just limited to parents and grandparents. These infections cause fluid to build up in your middle ear, and they lead to irritation. Discharge from the ear, soreness, and impaired hearing are potential symptoms you might encounter.
If you have an ear infection, you should see a physician right away. Not getting treatment for this issue, which could be a warning of an underlying medical condition, poses dangers to your health.
Carefully and successfully eliminate earwax
Earwax, in spite of being bothersome, plays a crucial part in snagging dirt, bugs, and debris to stop them from entering your inner ear. If you have excessive earwax, though, it can be a problem, especially if it blocks your hearing.
The first action in avoiding hearing issues caused by earwax is prevention. You may have spent years reaching for a cotton swab or some other item to clean wax, but please break that habit. Cotton swabs force the wax into your ear canal, causing a blockage and hearing loss.
Try cleaning your ears by using drops of hydrogen peroxide or purchasing over-the-counter drops. Allow the drops to sit there for a short while, then tilt your head to facilitate drainage. If you don’t want to clean your ears or are afraid that the blockage is too much, visit a hearing professional. Special tools are available to them that will simplify the task.
Medications might be the cause
If you beging taking a new medication and noticed that you suddenly have a harder time hearing, it could be the medication. Certain antibiotics, diuretics, large doses of aspirin, and other drugs can lead to hearing problems. If you are worried about this matter, contact your doctor as soon as possible to figure out whether you should keep taking your medication.
Remember, any changes in your hearing need to get assessed immediately.
If you’re detecting a decrease in your hearing this season, consider consulting an audiologist or hearing specialist for assistance.
