Autumn brings in its own engaging sounds you won’t want to miss, including the crackling of a warm fire, leaves crunching under your feet, and children laughing and playing. Now imagine those sounds fading away or becoming muffled, diminishing your enjoyment of these cherished moments.
Hearing problems can put a damper on your autumn experiences, but fortunately, many hearing problems can be avoided or treated with simple safeguards. Make sure you don’t miss fall’s wonderful soundscape, and be proactive about protecting your hearing.
Safeguard your hearing from loud noises
Loud noises are one of the most common causes of both temporary and permanent hearing loss. Hearing impairment can begin to happen when you’re exposed to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) resulting in damage to the sensitive structures of the inner ear.
Harmful noise – some prevalent sources
- Outdoor concerts and events: Often 90-140 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Sirens: 120 dB
Periodically attending a loud event can lead to hearing loss that is usually temporary and will clear up over a day or two. Repeated exposure to loud noises, like attending concerts regularly, or listening to loud audio on headphones every day, can cause more permanent hearing loss.
Tips for protecting your ears in autumn
- Turn down your headphones: In order to prevent damage, listen at a lower volume level and limit headphone usage.
- Avoid sitting beside loudspeakers: While getting right up next to the action may be enticing, the noise level right beside the loudspeakers is harmfully loud and can certainly damage your hearing.
- Use earplugs at events: Utilize earplugs at Halloween gatherings or outdoor concerts to give your ears some level of protection while still allowing you to have a good time.
Keeping your ears healthy when it’s cold out
As temperatures fall, remember to protect your ears from the chill. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your hearing, leaving you vulnerable to ear infections. Ear infections are more common when it’s cold out and both adults and children are vulnerable.
Why ear infections are dangerous
Cold air can lead to discomfort, temporary hearing loss, and pain because it can cause fluid accumulation and swelling of the middle ear. Untreated ear infections can trigger more serious complications, affecting both your hearing and overall health.
Protecting your ears when it’s cold
- Wear ear protection: Invest in earmuffs, headbands, or hats that fully cover your ears to keep them warm.
- Pay attention to symptoms: If you feel pain, fluid draining from the ear, or experience sudden hearing loss, contact a healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment.
Guidelines for safe ear cleaning
Earwax, while often thought of as a nuisance, captures debris, dust, and insects, playing a vital role in your total ear health. However, too much earwax can block your ear canal and result in considerable issues.
You should never clean your ears with cotton swabs as they can jam earwax further into the ear canal and potentially cause ear damage. Here are some better cleaning options:
- Consult a professional: Come in to see us if you think you may have a wax blockage or if you’re uncertain how to best clean your ears. We can safely clear out the wax with specialized tools and prevent further problems.
- Hydrogen peroxide drops: Utilize a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or an over-the-counter earwax solution to soften and clear out excess wax. After the drops have been in your ear for a few minutes, tilt your head to allow for drainage.
Medication-related hearing problems
Some medications can have unexpected side effects, including hearing issues. Common medications such as 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 related to a new medication, and if so, what to do about it, are things they will assist you with.
Take action at the first sign of hearing loss
Fall is filled with unique sounds you don’t want to miss. Schedule an appointment for a consultation if you detect any changes to your hearing.
