Your ears are one of the most vital organs in your body. They allow for hearing primarily, but can actually also assist you with balance. Just like any other part of the body, your ears can be affected by a great number of things, meaning taking proper care of your ears is essential.
One of the biggest worries surrounding your ears is hearing loss. Here are some of the causes of hearing loss and how they can be prevented/mitigated.
A build-up of earwax is one of the most common causes of hearing loss but luckily one of the most preventable. Everyone has earwax, and for most people, it just falls out by itself. However, it can block your ears and cause hearing loss, earache and even vertigo. Earwax buildup can be caused by a number of things, such as narrow or damaged ear canals, too much hair in your canals, skin conditions and inflammation.
Earwax can be treated at home using medical-grade olive/almond oil to dissolve the wax over time. If this doesn’t work, a pharmacist or a GP can help by prescribing medicines or offering ear irrigation and microsuction services.
Tinnitus is the name given to hearing noises that do not come from an outside source. This could be whooshing, buzzing, ringing, throbbing or a range of different noises. Tinnitus has been linked to a variety of causes including hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, certain medicines and conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis.
Tinnitus can go away by itself, but if it is regular/constant, it gets worse or it is affecting your day-to-day life, you should get in touch with a professional.
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is simply ageing. Many face problems with their hearing in later years, with some families affected more than others through inheritance. As you get older, your inner ear and auditory nerve can change, which can make you lose your hearing.
The loss is typically quite gradual, with many not realising they are losing their hearing until it is pointed out to them or a hearing test is completed. If you think your hearing is going, seeing a professional could lead to you being given hearing aids, which will help you to hear better.
Here at Duality Health, we offer our customers independent healthcare services, including a range of hearing services. With decades of experience, our experienced audiologists and GPs are standing by to help protect your hearing and the health of your ears.
This includes microsuction services for ear wax removal, which is safe, comfortable and pain-free, as well as hearing testing and the latest in hearing aid technology via trusted partners.
Give us a call on 028 308 33666 if you’re in the Newry area, or 028 252 56093 if you’re near Galgorm.