There are a number of different causes of hearing loss. It might be damage to the cochlea, which occurs when tiny hairs inside of the cochlea bend or break, which causes the nerve cells in the ear to degenerate. This means that electrical signals are not transmitted to the ear as quickly or efficiently as possible, which could result in severe hearing loss over time. Or the problem could be due to recurrent ear infections or wax buildup, or it might be hereditary in nature.

Having a hearing assessment done by a professional audiologist will help you to determine the steps that you need to take to maintain and improve your hearing health. Your level of hearing is measured in decibels as well as frequency. Humans should be able to hear between the frequencies of 500 and 4000Hz, so if your hearing is normal, your hearing assessment will probably indicate that you can hear from 0 to 20 dB HL. If you are experiencing mild hearing loss, the reading will be in the 20-40 range; moderate hearing loss reads from 40-60, and severe hearing loss is 60-80. If your assessment reads 80 dB HL or more, your audiologist will give you information on the best devices for profound hearing loss.

If you want to protect your ears from factors that will cause hearing loss, it is important to keep a few things in mind. First, your hearing may start to decline automatically with age, which means that you should protect your ears as much as you can in your younger years. Also, try to stay away from loud noises as much as you can. Activities like farming, motorcycling, and certain home repair projects can take a toll on your hearing, so try to ration these activities out as much as possible.

Factors like extreme wax buildup are a common contributor to hearing loss. This happens fairly often with people of all ages, and can be avoided by cleaning the ears often with a damp cloth or cotton swab. Be sure not to stick the swab too far in the ear, as this can cause damage as well. Also, using a few drops of alcohol will help to clear out excess water and wax from the ear, especially if you swim often.

Certain medicines and foods may also affect your hearing temporarily. If you have an aspirin allergy, you may find that you experience ringing in the ears when you take certain medications. Foods like red peppers, broccoli, and different types of nuts may have the same effect, since these foods contain high amounts of salicylates, which is the main ingredient found in aspirin. Keep in mind that stress can also affect your hearing health, so make sure that you take time to exercise a few times a week, or to take a walk after dinner to unwind after a long day. Growths on the auditory nerve can cause hearing loss as well, so if you start to feel pain or swelling around the ear, be sure to visit your audiologist right away.

Whether you’re considering used hearing aids or new, you can be assured that today’s hearing aids feature some highly advanced technology. Many of them are practically invisible, and there are discount hearing aids available to help with the cost. Discover more about the options available to you at Hearing Aids Online.

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