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Noise-induced or age-related hearing loss can be treated with hearing devices, such as hearing aids. Other devices can help alert you to sounds around the house like the phone or doorbell.

You also can learn ways to live with reduced hearing, such as paying attention to people's gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.

In other types of hearing loss, you can treat the problem that caused the hearing loss. For example, you may remove earwax or take medicine for an infection to help your hearing come back.

Can you prevent hearing loss?

You can prevent noise-related hearing loss by:

• Avoiding loud noise, such as noise from machines at your work, power tools, very loud music, and very loud motorcycles.
• Wearing hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs.

To protect yourself from hearing loss caused by an injury:

• Avoid putting objects in your ear.
• Wear your seat belt when you drive.
• Wear a helmet when you bike, ski, or do other activities that could cause an ear injury.