If you think that only the elderly are affected by hearing problems, you are wrong. Learn how to take care of your ears.
Many times we believe that only the elderly are affected by hearing problems, when the reality is that, no matter how old you are, you can suffer from this problem.
We talked with Dr. Gonzalo Corvera, UNAM surgeon, a specialist in otorhinolaryngology, who told us about the importance of hearing health and gave us some tips to avoid this condition.
By: Francisco Forastieri O.
The sports that pose the greatest risk
The more contact there is, the more risk of hearing problems there will be. Boxing, judo, football, and soccer are the most common examples. If you get hit directly in the ear, your eardrum may be pierced. This is almost always reversible, but in some cases surgery is needed.
“SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THAT IF THERE IS ANY AUDITORY SENSATION AFTER A BLOW, IT IS NECESSARY TO ATTEND TO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN INFLAMMATORY SITUATIONS ARISE THAT IF YOU LET THEM PASS EVEN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEY CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE AND IF YOU ATTACK THEM IMMEDIATELY, NO, ”SAYS DR. CORVERA.
Can wearing headphones while doing my routine harm me?
It is a reality that can damage and cause hearing problems, but the problem is not so much the use of headphones, but rather the volume you are exposing yourself to (the intensity of the sound). The hearing aid need not cause any damage if the volume is moderate.
What volume level is appropriate?
The maximum intensity is 85 decibels for 8 hours. If you use them in less amount of time, you run less risk of damaging yourself. 8 hours is not the time limit to use the headphones; If you put them at a level below 85 decibels, you can use them for a longer time.
How do you know how much is 85 decibels?
Although there is an initiative by the World Health Organization with several manufacturers, still no device (phones, tablets, etc.) measures the volume in decibels.
“One way to know that you are not exceeding the intensity of the sound is: With headphones on, you can hear the voice of a person who is an arm’s length from you. If you can at least hear that they are talking to you, you are at the right level. If you can’t hear the voice of the person next to you, your volume is too loud, “advises Corvera.
Cleaning the ears
No need to clean your ears. “The ear has a self-cleaning mechanism, it automatically ejects the match. You just have to clean what is already outside and do not put anything in the ear canal (or cotton swabs, napkins, or disposable tissues). This way you will avoid the formation of plugs ”says the doctor.
Ways to prevent hearing loss
The hearing can be prevented even before a baby is born. For this it is very important that the woman before getting pregnant vaccinates against rubella. If you give rubella to the pregnant mom, the baby is at high risk of deafness. When a baby is born it is necessary to do a hearing test, with that deafness is not prevented, but detecting it early can change your life so that from the beginning you can start correcting the problem.
– No smoking (people who smoke and are exposed to noise have more hearing damage than people who are exposed to the same noise but do not smoke).
– Beware of noise (staying away from the speakers or where most of the noise is concentrated is an important safety measure to take into account).
– Always ride a motorcycle and bicycle with a helmet.
– In contact sports, it is always recommended to wear a helmet or face shield.