Prevent Hearing Loss and Tinnitus with Hearing Protection

According to hearing statistics, approximately 15% of American adults are affected by some degree of hearing loss, with the greatest number falling among the older age brackets. And according to those same statistics, on an annual basis, roughly 10% of the US adult population experience tinnitus, the nuisance condition that can cause a perception of ringing in the ear. 

Chances are, you might have experienced hearing loss or tinnitus in your life. If so, don't dismiss the issues you are having as insignificant. If left untreated, hearing loss can worsen, and if you do experience tinnitus, you need to know that this could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss or a circulatory system disorder. 

An audiologist will help you determine the cause behind your hearing conditions and will give you further advice and support. It might be that a hearing aid is needed, as well as a method of hearing protection to prevent some of those symptoms associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. We discuss some of them below.

Ways to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus

Of course, there is much you can do in your life to reduce the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus in the first place. By using ear muffs, disposable earplugs, canal caps and similar forms of hearing protection when you are in noisy environments, you will do much to preserve the health of your ears. You should also take care when cleaning your ears, perhaps using a saline solution to remove wax instead of using your fingers or a cotton swab. This will prevent damage to your ear canal. You will also reduce the risk of tinnitus by following these precautionary steps too.

However, if you are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, there are ways to treat the symptoms.

A hearing aid with a masking feature

As you know, a hearing aid will give you the ability to hear again, so speak to an audiologist for advice on the right device for you. However, those people with tinnitus can also benefit from a hearing aid that incorporates a masking feature that will do much to alleviate the condition.

Similar to a white noise machine, a tinnitus masker is an electronic device installed within the hearing aid that emits low-level noises that are designed to mask the telltale sounds of tinnitus. Such technology is near-invisible, and your audiologist will fine-tune the device according to your specific needs. While it doesn't prevent tinnitus itself, it will prevent those intermittent whistles and buzzing noises that can cause you to feel frustration within the day.

Sound machines

Also known as white noise machines, they are often used by those people who struggle to sleep soundly of a night time. Of course, if you're experiencing tinnitus, you might be struggling to sleep anyway, so purchasing such a device is definitely something to consider. A sound machine will simulate calming environmental sounds such as ocean waves or gentle winds and will do much to mask the irritating sounds associated with tinnitus. Some also come with pillow speakers, so if you are struggling to sleep, you might want to research the relevant products. 

Tinnitus retraining therapy

An audiologist can help you to cope with your tinnitus through retraining techniques. It combines three steps:

• The audiologist will seek to understand more about you to determine the possible causes of tinnitus.
• The audiologist will suggest a masking device to divert your attention away from the sounds you are experiencing.
• Through relaxation exercises and stress management, the audiologist will help you to manage the anxiety you are experiencing because of tinnitus and will divert your attention away from the condition.

The ultimate goal of tinnitus retraining therapy is to help you cope with the condition on a conscious and unconscious level, and to prevent the condition from returning.

Earwax removal

An accumulation of earwax can reduce your ability to hear effectively. Your auditory system may then overcompensate for this loss by facilitating those noises that are associated with tinnitus. If this is something you are experiencing, then a visit to your audiologist will be useful. By removing the wax from your ear, you should have the freedom to hear well again, and those whistling and buzzing sounds will be gone. 

Hearing loss and tinnitus are common conditions that many of us experience, but they don't have to limit our lives. Here at Rocky Mountain Hearing & Balance, we are here to help you if you are experiencing these conditions, so call us at (801) 685-3456 to find out more.