Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am to 5pm
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am to 5pm

National Audiology Awareness and National Protect Your Hearing Month. 

Audiology - Greater Knoxville ENT - Knoxville, TN
October is National Audiology Awareness and National Protect Your Hearing Month.  Hearing loss is an increasing health concern in the country, but it’s one that’s highly preventable. What causes hearing loss? There are several factors that can lead to hearing loss in adults. This includes aging, otosclerosis (a type of middle ear disease), Meniere’s disease, ototoxic medications such as neomycin, head injury, and constant exposure to very loud noise. How can you prevent hearing loss? Contrary to popular belief, hearing loss is not an inevitable part of aging.  There are some types of hearing loss that can be prevented through:
  • Minimizing exposure to loud noises
If you have to be in an event where exposure to loud noise is inevitable or if you’re constantly working with loud machines, getting ear protective devices as ear muffs can definitely help protect your hearing.
  • Avoiding or quitting smoking
Research shows that smokers are most likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers.
  • Removing your earwax properly
When you have a buildup of earwax, it may cause you to have difficulty in hearing. But avoid using a cotton swab to clean your ears as you may end up pushing the wax further.  A good cleaning method is using an at-home irrigation kit that will soften the wax and gently wash it out. If you have compacted ear wax, you may need to see a specialist to remove it.
  • Seeing a specialist if you have a family history of hearing loss
Early intervention can help in keeping hearing loss from progressing. If you have a family history of hearing loss or if you’re constantly exposed to loud noises and want to assess your hearing, it’s best to see a specialist. Greater Knoxville ENT has a team of specialists who can help you. To request an appointment, you can call (865) 244-4396 or visit: https://greaterknoxent.com/contact/.   References: https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Causes-of-Hearing-Loss-in-Adults/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/how-to-prevent-hearing-loss.aspx