The year is quickly coming to a close. As you approach 2025, you’re probably taking stock of your life and coming up with New Year’s resolutions. One area most people overlook when thinking of resolutions is their hearing health.
Your hearing health tends to take a backseat to the rest of your body, but it’s just as important to care for your ears as you would your teeth or eyes. Let’s take a look at why hearing loss develops and a few resolutions you can put in place to care for your ears in the new year.
Why Does Hearing Loss Develop?
Hearing loss can happen for many reasons, including aging, noise exposure, infection, physical trauma, genetics and more. There are three different types of hearing loss:
- Sensorineural. Inner ear or sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells in your inner ear are damaged. Normally, when sound travels to your inner ear, these cells catch and convert sound waves into signals your brain can understand. When the nerves are damaged from aging, infection or noise exposure, they can’t transmit sound to your brain. Most of the time, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent. Hearing aids and cochlear implants can be effective management tools.
- Conductive. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot effectively pass through the outer and middle ear. Earwax, ear infections, Eustachian tube dysfunctions, foreign objects in the ears, perforated eardrum or benign tumors are common causes. Your provider may be able to treat the underlying cause to restore hearing.
- Mixed. Combined inner, middle and outer ear issues cause mixed hearing loss. Treatment options for mixed hearing loss vary by case.
While you can’t always prevent hearing loss, you can reduce its impact by protecting your hearing whenever possible and addressing it early.
How Can I Care for My Hearing?
A few hearing healthcare resolutions to make this year include:
- Wear hearing protection. Protect your hearing by lowering the volume on your audio and wearing earplugs in noisy environments like Kimball Theater.
- Keep objects out of your ears. Small objects like cotton swabs and hairpins can cause permanent damage to the ears. If you have excess earwax, talk to your provider about safe removal options.
- Start hearing treatment. Starting treatment for your hearing loss early on can help minimize its impact. This year, take the leap into hearing aids by making an appointment with one of our specialists.
Don’t put your hearing health on the back burner in 2025. Contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to schedule a hearing test or treatment appointment.