5 Essential Tips You Must Know to Protect Your Hearing
We don’t usually think about our hearing on a daily basis, until it starts to fade. Then, it’s a worry each and every day.
The good news is that most hearing loss is preventable, and the information on this page will help you to do just that.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss isn’t just an age-related issue, so before we begin let’s familiarise ourselves with each cause.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise.
Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
Gradual hearing loss with age.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Due to blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
From damage to inner ear or auditory nerve.
Mixed Hearing Loss
A combination of conductive and sensorineural loss.
5 Tips to Keep Your Hearing Sharp
1. Keep the Volume Low
Volume knobs need to be treated with respect. It’s far too easy to enjoy what you’re listening to and turn it up as a result, but this can become damaging to your ears.
Follow the 60/60 rule: Keep the volume at 60% for 60 minutes at a time. If you can’t hear at that level, then it may be time for a hearing test.
Try using headphones with noise-cancelling technology to ensure that you’re hearing as much of the audio as possible. This is particularly helpful in noisy places.
2. Protect Your Ears in Loud Places
Concerts, stadiums, even construction sites are too loud and could damage your hearing.
A single event over 100 decibels could damage your hearing in as little as 15 minutes. If you’re around loud noises often, ear protection is an absolute must.
Foam earplugs are great and affordable. Earmuffs work wonders and are easier to find. For musicians and DJs, though, custom earplugs will be necessary to preserve sound quality.
3. Take Quiet Breaks
Sometimes, you just can’t avoid noisy environments. When this happens, give your ears at least 15 minutes of rest in a quiet room to recover.
If you can’t find anywhere quiet, try noise-cancelling headphones instead without playing any audio.
4. Keep Things Out of Your Ears
We’re not talking about earphones—they’re fine as long as the volume isn’t high—we’re talking about cotton swabs (q-tips) or similar.
Earwax will be pushed out of the ear naturally as your body tries to remove it as part of our natural defence system. This may not seem the case because it happens so slowly, but eventually wax finds its way out.
If it builds up, you may need to see a professional who can remove all of the wax using microsuction.
When objects enter your ear, they can damage delicate structures and even cause hearing loss.
5. Take Care of Your Health
Believe it or not, your ears and your heart are connected. High blood pressure, diabetes, and poor circulation can all affect your hearing.
Eat well, stay active, and keep those check-ups regular.
Signs of Hearing Loss
If you notice any of the following, then it may be time to have a check-up.
- Asking people to repeat themselves.
- Turning the TV up louder than everyone else.
- Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus).
- Struggling to hear conversations with background noise.
Tips For Little Ears
Children’s ears are even more sensitive. So, while you should be vigilant with your own hearing, it’s even more important to stay on top of any issues.
Make sure to always do the following:
- Keep headphone volume low.
- Use child-safe earmuffs at noisy events.
- Choose toys that aren’t too loud.
Get a Hearing Check-Up
You get your eyes tested and your teeth checked, so why not your ears?
Aim for a hearing test every few years, especially if you’re over 50 or work in loud environments.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—early detection makes a huge difference.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is often permanent, but it’s also preventable, so keep the volume down and avoid loud environments if possible. If you can’t, make sure that it’s not very often or take protection.
Start now. Turn it down, plug it up, and give your ears the care they deserve.
If you still have questions or would like advice, reach out using our contact form or by calling 01179 012526.
