There are many causes of hearing loss. Unfortunately, once it occurs, there’s no medical or surgical treatment to help you recover. However, you can slow progression with a few strategies and drastically improve your quality life, so you’ll never struggle to interact with loved ones or your environment. Here are a few ways to control hearing loss after a diagnosis from hearing testing.

How to Slow Down Hearing Loss

1. Limit Loud Noise Exposure

Hearing loss often results from exposure to loud noises, which damage the sensitive cells in your ears. Any noise above 80 to 85 decibels can cause ear damage, such as a lawnmower, motorcycle, sirens, or car horns. Ideally, you should limit exposure to these noises. This could mean changing your work environment or reducing the amount of time you’re exposed to these sounds.

Maintaining your hearing preserves your independence. You can still enjoy favorite activities without the worry of your hearing holding you back and can speak with an audiologist about aids to compensate for existing loss.

2. Wear Protection

Even though you’re taking steps to avoid loud sounds, it’s still important to have hearing protection handy, especially if you work on a construction site or are attending a temporarily loud environment. At your next hearing testing appointment, ask your audiologist about protection. Opt for custom earplugs that are fit to your ear’s shape of over-ear headphones that cancel sound.

3. Mind Your Health

High blood pressure and heart issues can damage the components in your ear that help you hear. Additionally, diabetes, which often goes hand-in-hand with cardiac health, also damages ear cells responsible for hearing. Poor habits like alcohol abuse and smoking also increase the risk of cardiac issues, among many other health problems, so make healthy changes. Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise several times each week, and try mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress.

If you are experiencing hearing loss, turn to Hearing Solutions Hawaii in Hilo. These audiology professionals provide comprehensive hearing testing and also carry hearing assistive devices and aids parts. Call (808) 935-6358 to speak with their staff, learn more about their services on their website, and discover more hearing tips on their Facebook page.