The importance of hearing health by the speech therapist Johana Gonzalez in Medellín
Speech Therapy
Author: Johana González UrreaModified date:
How do I know if I have hearing problems?
- I must ask to be repeated when they speak to me.
- I must turn up the volume of the TV to a high level.
- They speak to me but I don't understand or understand.
- I can't hear the doorbell or phone ringing.
- I find it difficult to carry on a conversation in noisy environments, for example, shopping malls, restaurants, busy streets, etc.
How do I know that I have good hearing health?
- If I do diagnostic tests (audiometry) every year.
- If I listen to music at adequate volume, and it does not require increasing it for understanding.
- If I am exposed to noisy environments, I must wear hearing protection.
How often is it good to clean the ears?
The doctor determines if and how often ear cleaning is necessary after performing an otoscopy. Keep in mind that not all ear canals are the same, some produce more wax than others and handling depends on this.
What is an audiometry?
Audiometry is a subjective test, where the patient must be in person, and that evaluates a person's hearing capacity. This test measures frequency ranges (bass, middle, treble) and different intensities (marked in decibels), classifying hearing and hearing loss from mild to profound.
If I use the hearing aids for a long time, can it harm me?
Headphones for listening to music can be harmful to the ear for long exposure times and due to the intensities that these devices handle; a pleasant sound can be turned into noise by dramatically increasing the intensity with which it is heard. If they have to be used, external headphones (which cover the ears) are more recommended and for those who are working at home or with permanent sessions in front of the computer, if the environment allows it, it is preferable to listen to the sound from the computer speakers, avoiding If possible, use headphones.
How do I know if I have a wax plug in my ears?
The way to determine if a cerumen plug is present is by performing an otoscopy, through a medical consultation. For this reason, if you have ear discomfort, pain or a feeling of being covered, you should not self-medicate but go to your doctor to make the respective diagnosis.
How to prevent hearing problems?
- Conducting annual hearing exams.
- Using anatomical hearing protectors as prevention against environments with constant high noise.
- Not listening to music at high volumes or with permanent headphones.
- Do not expose yourself to loud noises, and if necessary use hearing protectors, for example construction sites, machinery, etc.
- Treat ear infections (otitis) promptly.
- Be aware of warning signs such as the presence of Tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
What is the treatment for a hearing problem?
- Make a timely and reliable diagnosis.
- If the hearing loss requires it, the daily use of clinical hearing aids programmed for hearing loss may be required, the diagnosis of which is made by a specialized audiologist or physician.
- If hearing loss is diagnosed, a hearing evaluation is recommended every six months, with the aim of practicing the necessary corrective and preventive actions that lead to a major hearing loss.
Is it advisable to clean your ears with little cups?
In no case is it advisable to use swabs, only after performing an otoscopy can recommendations be given on cleaning the auditory canals, taking into account that not all canals are the same, as each one has its different anatomy and the ceruminous glands work differently in each person.