6 Ways to Protect Your Hearing
You probably think hearing loss is only something that older people need to worry about, but it can affect anyone at any time. Hearing loss can be caused by many different factors. Some of these are mostly out of your control, such as infections, age, and certain medical conditions. However, your lifestyle and how well you look after your ears will have a considerable influence on the state of your hearing in the years to come. A lifetime of exposure to loud noises will inevitably lead to some degree of hearing loss by the time you reach your golden years.
If you don't want to have to wear a hearing aid or learn sign language, you should start taking steps to protect your hearing now. Hearing loss is gradual, and by the time you realize you're experiencing it, it will be too late to treat it.
Here are six steps you can take in your life right now, to protect your hearing for the future.
Use hearing protection
People are often exposed to loud noises at various times in their life, whether you're at a concert, shooting range, nightclub, or fireworks display. You should always enjoy yourself when you can, but that doesn't mean you can't protect your hearing while doing so. When you're around loud noises, wear protection such as earplugs to protect you. If you think that's not "cool," it's worth noting that most musicians wear them on stage.
Turn the volume down
Listening to music on full volume might get you pumped up at the gym, but it's doing irreversible damage to your ears. By turning the volume down to a reasonable level, you will be doing a great deal to protect your hearing. The same goes for TV, radio and video games as well.
Avoid noisy places
Any sound over 85 decibels is harmful to your ears, so the best way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss is simply to avoid loud noises. Limit the amount of time you spend at noisy events and when you do attend, stand away from the sources of noise like speakers or fireworks. Give your ears plenty of time to recover afterward.
Talk to your employer
If you are regularly exposed to loud noises in your line of work, for example, in a factory or the music industry, your employer has a legal obligation to protect you. Talk to your manager about any changes they could make, such as switching to quieter equipment or providing adequate hearing protection.
Don't put things in your ears
Sometimes your ears get dirty, but rooting around with a cotton bud may be doing more harm than good. You should not put any small objects inside your ears, including anything you might use to clean or scratch them. Clean your ears with a damp cloth, or better yet, ask a doctor to remove wax for you.
Get your hearing tested
Most people don't see a doctor about their hearing until it is too late, but by booking a hearing test at least once every couple of years, you can ensure that any symptoms will be spotted before it is too late. Book an appointment with an audiologist today and do your future self a favor.
