Autumn brings in its own engaging sounds you don’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching under your feet, and kids laughing and playing. Now imagine how much less enjoyable your fall experience will be if those sounds begin to fade away.
Luckily, your autumn experience doesn’t need to be jeopardized because many of the causes of hearing loss can be avoided by taking some simple protective measures. Make sure you don’t miss fall’s amazing soundscape, and be assertive about safeguarding your hearing.
Protect your ears from noise
The most prevalent cause of both permanent and temporary hearing loss is exposure to loud sounds. Exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) can compromise the sensitive structures of your inner ear, leading to hearing impairment.
Harmful noise – some prevalent sources
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Sirens: 120 dB
Occasionally attending a loud event can cause hearing loss that is normally temporary and will clear up over a day or two. More sustained exposure to high decibel levels, including regularly attending concerts or using loud headphones on a daily basis, can also cause lasting problems.
Guidelines for protecting your ears in autumn
- Wear earplugs at events: If you attend outdoor concerts or Halloween get-togethers, use earplugs to reduce the volume without muting the experience.
- Turn down your headphones: Reduce headphone use and decrease the volume to prevent damage over time.
- Avoid sitting near loudspeakers: While getting right up next to the action may be tempting, the noise level right beside the loudspeakers is harmfully loud and can definitely damage your hearing.
Cold weather and ear health
Remember to safeguard your ears from the cold as temperatures fall. Cold weather can have a major impact on your hearing, leaving you vulnerable to ear infections. Adults are just as susceptible to ear infections as children, especially when exposed to cold and windy conditions.
Why ear infections are dangerous
Cold air can lead to discomfort, temporary hearing loss, and pain because it can cause fluid buildup and swelling of the middle ear. If an ear infection goes untreated, it can impact both your hearing health and your general health, resulting in more serious health issues.
Safeguarding your ears when it’s cold
- Wear ear protection: Keep your ears warm by entirely covering them with a hat, earmuffs, or a headband.
- 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.
Safe ear cleaning tips
While earwax is often viewed as a nuisance, it plays a critical role in keeping your ears healthy by capturing dust, debris, and insects. However, excessive earwax can become problematic, especially if it blocks your hearing.
Many people use cotton swabs to clean their ears, but this common habit can actually pack the wax further into your ear canal, causing blockages and even damaging the ear. Here are some better cleaning suggestions:
- 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 a few minutes, then tip your head to allow it to drain.
- 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 safely remove the wax with specialized tools and prevent further issues.
Medication-related hearing problems
Hearing problems are one of the unforeseen side effects of some medications. Your hearing can be impaired by certain common medications, such as diuretics, antibiotics, and large doses of aspirin.
Let your doctor know if you notice any hearing changes after you start using a new medication. Whether your hearing loss is related to a new medication, and if so, what to do about it, are things they will help you with.
Take action at the first sign of hearing loss
Fall is filled with memorable sounds you don’t want to miss. Make an appointment for a consultation if you notice any changes to your hearing.