Summertime and Livin' Easy with Hearing Loss

Are you planning for a break from your busy life? Or are you retired and in search of warmer weather? Remember, even though it’s important to take care of yourself by going on a vacation once in a while, it’s never advised to take a hiatus from your hearing health. 
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The summer weather and relaxing by the lake, ocean, or swimming pool, is always something to look forward to. Worry less about things while on vacation, by making sure you are caring for your hearing. 

Memorial Day 

It’s important to note that while we remember and honor Americans who served and died in our armed forces, many members experience noise-induced hearing loss. This is the most prevalent service-related disability. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has noted, as of 2014, over 933,000 veterans receive disability compensation for hearing loss, and about 1.3 million are compensated for tinnitus. 

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately one in three Americans from 20 to 69 years of age, experience hearing loss due to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This is the only type of hearing loss that can be prevented. Before you enjoy time spent with family this Memorial Day, make sure you wear hearing protection. This can include a pair of portable foam earplugs that you may store in your pocket. Wearing these can lower the risks of damaging your hearing from loud sounds, such as live music playing or fireworks displays.

If you plan on swimming, be aware of swimmer’s ear. Temporary hearing loss can be a side effect of swimmer’s ear. Here are tips from the CDC on how you can reduce your risks of developing swimmer’s ear:

• Prevent your ears from getting wet by wearing a bathing cap, earplugs, or even customized earmolds when you swim.
• Thoroughly dry your ears after swimming or showering.
• Do NOT insert anything small into your ear canal to clean them out. For example, cotton swabs.
• Don’t touch your earwax. This is actually a protective layer to prevent dirt, moisture, and oil from entering the deeper regions of your ears and causing an infection. If excess/impacted earwax is affecting how you hear, seek guidance from a hearing healthcare professional.     
• Here are some tips for when water becomes trapped in your ears.

Are you a hearing aid user?

For anyone who wears a hearing aid, remember to be aware of the increase in humidity and moisture during this time of the year. Just like with any electronic device, water and any amount of moisture if the enemy of hearing aids and listening devices. It can ruin the microphones, receivers, and lead to corrosion in the battery compartment. Keep your hearing aids in a dry case. If you haven’t done so already, get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. These devices feature a desiccant, which pulls out moisture when placed inside overnight. 

Your family may already appreciate that you wear hearing aids. Communication can be easier than it was before, and you feel less isolated. It is important to wear your hearing aids every day, from the moment you wake up to the time when you start winding down to sleep. Hearing helps to exercise your brain and allows you to process sounds that are sent through the auditory nerve. These signals are then transferred to the brain so that it can interpret the sounds into information. The ability to communicate with your family using less effort can help create stronger relationships. 

Father’s Day

If you plan on watching a sporting event with your dad, be careful with the volume levels on your TV. The listening threshold is 85 dB. Anything louder may induce hearing loss. 

Speaking of dads, how is your father’s hearing? After people turn 65, one in three Americans will experience some range of hearing loss. Take notice of whether your father frequently asks you to repeat yourself, or doesn’t respond in an appropriate manner. Gently suggest that he get his hearing tested. Offer to go along with him. Hearing loss that goes untreated can lead to additional health problems including dementia and vertigo. Here are some tips on how you can broach the topic.    

The Fourth of July

Every summer, we look forward to seeing a fireworks display to celebrate the birth of our nation. Most people don’t even think about protecting their ears from the loud blasts of noise from the fireworks. NIHL is permanent, but it is also the only type of hearing loss that can be prevented. Teach your family members about the importance of protecting your hearing health.

• Show them that you always wear earplugs when coming in contact with loud environments.
• Think about where you and your family will be seated during these events. Be aware of the speakers, emergency sirens, and distance between yourselves and the area where the fireworks will be launched.
• Schedule yearly hearing tests for you and your family. This will help build a strong relationship between you and a local hearing healthcare provider. 

We hope you enjoy your summer with the sweet sounds of loved ones, whether it’s via zoom chats or at a safe distance, or relaxing quietly in the sun while hearing birds singing and crickets chirping. Schedule an appointment with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids for a wide range of hearing loss. 

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