Author: Hearing Doctors of NJ

Rock concerts and jet engines may be the most well-known measurements for sound levels that can damage hearing, but they’re by no means the only loud noises a person could encounter that lead to hearing loss. Everything from lawnmowers and chainsaws to headphones and sporting events can harm your hearing, and when your hearing goes, it goes for good.

Take action to protect your hearing health using these easy, actionable steps that many people may not know about.

1. Use Earplugs or Headphones Around Loud Noises

Many Americans have unavoidably loud workplaces or hobbies, such as people in manufacturing facilities or those who can’t get enough of live concerts. A rule of thumb you can use to find out if you’re in an overly loud environment is if you have to shout to be heard by the person next to you, you’re probably in a dangerous sound environment. In circumstances like these, a simple way to protect your hearing is to physically block the noise from damaging the delicate structures in your inner ear.

Earplugs are a convenient and widely available solution that can help protect your hearing. There are even custom pairs you can have fitted by our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Rhee Nesson. Some musicians use specialty earplugs that have filters that allow people to still hear conversations and music clearly while reducing loud sounds’ impact on hearing health.

2. Lower The Volume

The people at risk of hearing loss aren’t just the elderly people normally associated with hearing aids. In fact, it’s estimated that millions of young adults and teenagers are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss due to how they use their headphones and other audio devices. Listening to music at loud volumes for long stretches at a time, whether through earbuds or speakers, can damage your hearing at a young age.

It’s recommended to only listen to music at no more than 60% volume for 60 minutes at a time, taking long breaks in between.

3. Don’t Use Q-Tips

Medical doctors and Audiologists have recommended for years to avoid using Q-Tips to clean out their ear canals. There is no medical reason to do so, as the ears naturally produce earwax to both protect the inner ear from dust and other particles, as well as to clean out the ear canal automatically.

Many people do suffer from excess earwax, but there are other, safer solutions to getting rid of it besides using Q-Tips. Ear wax removal fluids are readily available at the drug store to help soften earwax and let it flow out of the ear on its own. You can also gently clean just inside the canal with a soft, damp towel if needed.

4. Take Time to Recover From Loud Noises

If you know you’ve been exposed to hearing-damaging noise levels, don’t panic that you’re going to lose your hearing. Taking just a few minutes to step away from crowded, noisy bars or events throughout your time there lets your ears rest, helping to avoid doing long-term damage. In addition, after a loud night, research shows that your ears need about 16 hours of quiet to recover to their former function.

5. Keep Ears Dry

Moisture buildup in the ear canal can quickly lead to infection, as frequent swimmers could tell you. Aptly named Swimmer’s Ear and other infections can not only cause discomfort and a feeling of fullness but also damage hearing if not addressed. Fortunately, custom-fit earplugs known as swimmers’ earplugs are highly effective at blocking any water from entering the ear.

6. Manage Stress

A surprising culprit of some hearing conditions, such as tinnitus, is high levels of stress. Stress sends your body into so-called “fight or flight” mode, flooding the bloodstream with adrenaline to help you either fight or run away from a perceived threat. This activation affects everything from your nerves to body heat, and can even cause problems in the inner ear. If you have permanent or temporary tinnitus or ringing in the ears, it could be caused by high stress levels.

7. Stay Active

Exercise has a host of benefits for the body beyond simply building muscle or endurance. Studies have shown it’s also good for mental health, longevity, and, you guessed it, hearing. By encouraging healthy blood flow to all the parts of the body, you can help your ears get the nutrients and resources they need to stay healthy.

8. Get Regular Checkups

Your primary care physician can incorporate quick, simple hearing screenings into your regular physicals if desired, but it’s also important to get regular comprehensive hearing exams with a licensed professional, especially for people at a higher risk for hearing loss. This is because hearing loss develops gradually and is often left undiagnosed until it’s progressed far enough to disrupt a person’s lifestyle. Regular hearing checkups help ensure that we detect any hearing loss early, providing simple, personalized solutions that are right for your habits and budget.

Schedule A Hearing Checkup Today

Did you know that only 1 in 5 people who would benefit from a hearing solution like hearing aids actually uses one? This gap is troubling, especially considering factors such as the fact that hearing loss is demonstrably linked to increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline when not treated.

To find out if you are suffering from some degree of hearing loss, make the commitment of scheduling an appointment with the Hearing Doctors of New Jersey today. Get started by calling our office or contacting us online today.

To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, download our FREE Insider’s Guide on how to finally hear better.

There are many reasons and excuses for why your loved one is not getting the help they need with their hearing loss.  Whether it’s a prohibitive price, denying they even have a problem, or, sadly, societal stigma about wearing hearing aids, there’s a lot working against people who need hearing help.

At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we know it can be hard to have “the talk” with your friend or loved one, so we want to give you insider tips to help get them started hearing better.

Who’s Not Wearing Hearing Aids

In a remarkable study published in 2013, the International Journal of Audiology revealed that about 80% of adults between the ages of 55 and 74 could benefit from a hearing aid, but don’t use one. This includes hearing loss to all degrees, and it’s important to understand why this is happening.

First, the stigma of wearing a hearing aid can make someone more reluctant to reveal they have hearing loss. Others with mild hearing loss may be in denial that they have a problem and would benefit from getting a hearing test and investigating hearing solutions. Finally, hearing aids can be expensive for some people, with the average cost coming to around $2,300.

Convincing Others to Seek Help

It’s been shown that people who get the hearing solution that’s right for them enjoy a huge improvement in life experience, allowing them to socialize like normal, enjoy concerts and movies again, and many psychological benefits as well. That’s why we believe it’s important to speak candidly but respectfully with the people in your life who could benefit from a hearing aid but don’t want one. Here are our tips for convincing them to go to an audiologist.

Keep it Cool

Sometimes, it’s all about timing. Find a time when both you and your loved one are not stressed, have free time to talk and be in a generally positive mood. Be aware that your mood and conversation skills will have a lot to do with your loved one’s impression of the subject, so reassure them that you’re bringing it up for their best interests, not your own. If at any time one of you becomes agitated and negative, have the courage to end the conversation.

Come Prepared With Facts

There are many well-researched studies that prove the benefits of hearing aids, including their role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline. In addition to these benefits, research some potential hearing aids and have their features ready to cite, like Bluetooth connectivity, fitness tracking, and even translation technology. In recent years, hearing aids have become sleeker, more advanced, and more discreet, meaning there’s no better time to look at a variety of feature-packed hearing devices.

Offer Personal Support

For those who may be in denial about their hearing loss, or who don’t notice its effect on the people around them, bringing personal details can often be a convincing factor in the hearing aid decision. Record things like how many times people have needed to repeat themselves in conversation and how much louder the TV is when they’re watching compared to others. As you reveal these things, offer your support, like going to the audiologist with them and helping them pick out a specific device.

Hearing Solutions in Livingston, New Jersey

Hearing loss affects not just the person with the condition but also everyone around them.  If you have a loved one struggling to hear, now is the time to get them the help they need.

To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, download our FREE Insider’s Guide on how to finally hear better NOW.

Attempting to remove earwax with cotton swabs is incredibly common, but this method is actually ineffective and dangerous to your health. Most patients don’t actually have to worry about removing earwax, but in some cases, a blockage can affect your hearing. Continue reading to learn more about earwax and how to safely remove it.

What is Earwax?

The ears are designed to be self-cleaning, and earwax is part of this process. Earwax is a mix of dead skin cells, oils, and other debris that is intended to naturally move out of the ear over time. It helps to prevent infection, stop dirt or other debris from reaching deep into the ear canal, and provide lubrication that protects the ear canal from scratches. While it may seem like earwax needs to be removed, it is actually healthy to have some earwax present. Otherwise, the ears could become dry, itchy, and prone to infection.

Why Does Earwax Build Up?

Why having some earwax within the ear is important, it is possible to experience a buildup of wax that can block the ear canal, resulting in some hearing loss. You may also feel a sensation of the ears being plugged, similar to if you have water stuck in your ear or are wearing earplugs.

There are several reasons why earwax can build up. Some people have naturally dry earwax, which is especially common in older adults. This can make it more difficult for the wax to naturally move out of the ear. Excess ear hair can also trap earwax and cause a buildup. Patients who have had certain surgeries may also experience build-up due to a change in the anatomy or shape of the ear canal. Finally, wearing hearing aids or even some earbuds may cause earwax buildup. This is more common for hearing aid users but can affect those who wear earbuds for up to 10-12 hours per day—if you find this problem, it can be helpful to switch to over-ear headphones instead.

Are Q-Tips Dangerous To Use In Your Ears?

Q-tips can be dangerous to use within the ears for several reasons. Primarily, cotton swabs are long enough to reach the eardrum, meaning that inserting it far into your ear can significantly damage your hearing. Furthermore, Q-tips are not effective in cleaning earwax, and can even push wax and debris further into the ear—sometimes far enough to perforate the eardrum. Some choose to use Q-tips to dry their ears after a shower. Instead, it is safer to use a hairdryer on a low setting to dry the ears.

How Can I Safely Remove Earwax?

A majority of people do not have to worry about removing their earwax, as it will move out of the ear naturally over time. However, removal is sometimes necessary if you experience earwax buildup. Some at-home removal methods that are safe can include mineral oil, baby oil, and over-the-counter earwax softeners. These products can be dropped into the ears to help soften earwax, which can then fall away naturally or be gently flushed out with water. Using any of these three, leave drops in the ears overnight, using a cotton ball to keep the liquid within the ear.

If these at-home options are insufficient, you can also schedule an appointment with an audiologist. They can use several professional methods, including flushing out debris with a saline solution or manually removing earwax, to remove blockages.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about your ear health and safely removing earwax, schedule a consultation at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. Call (973) 577-4100 or contact us online to set up your appointment.