Ways to Protect Your Ears and Hearing Health

Hearing health, Protect your ears, Hearing loss prevention, Noise-induced hearing loss, Ear protection tips

Ways to Protect Your Ears and Hearing Health

Ways to Protect Your Ears and Hearing Health

Once your hearing is damaged, it's gone for good. That's why it’s important to raise awareness about the prevalence of hearing loss, the importance of early diagnosis, and the options for taking action to find the best hearing solution for your needs. Don't wait until it's too late to start taking care of your ears!

 Here are easy ways to protect your ears and your hearing health.

1. Stop using ear buds:

It’s common for people to use cotton swabs to clean wax out of their ear canal, but this is definitely not advisable. A little bit of wax in your ears is not only normal, but it’s also important. The ears are self-cleaning organs, and wax stops dust and other harmful particles from entering the canal. Plus, inserting anything inside your ear canals risks damaging sensitive organs like your ear drum.

2. Use ear plugs around loud noise:

Approximately 15% of population have noise-induced hearing loss because of loud work or leisure environments.

Clubs, concerts, lawnmowers, trains , airports and any other noises that force you to shout so the person next to you can hear your voice all create dangerous levels of sound. Earplugs are convenient and easy to obtain. You can even have a pair custom fitted for your ears by your local healthcare provider. 

3. Stop having frequent high pitch sound exposures:

If you are exposed to loud noises for a prolonged period of time, like at a concert or a bar, your ears need time to heal.  

Always show your local ent doctor , if you feel you are having issues with sudden hearing loss after a loud noise exposure . Sometime urgent treatment can stop your hearing to detoriate further. 

4. Take medications only as prescribed by your doctor:

Certain medications can sometimes contribute to hearing loss. Discuss medications with your doctor and take them only as directed by your doctor.

5. Avoid water entering your ears:

Excess moisture can allow bacteria to enter and attack the ear canal. This can cause swimmer’s ears and other types of ear infections, which can be dangerous for your hearing ability. 

You can also ensure that your ears stay dry and healthy by using custom-fit swimmers' earplugs, which block water from entering the ear canal. Take appointment with your local hearing health professional to get it custom made and fitted for you .

6. Get regular health checkups:

Ask your primary care physician to incorporate hearing screenings into your regular checkups. Because hearing loss develops gradually, it’s also recommended that you have annual hearing consultations with a hearing healthcare professional.

Taking action is important because untreated hearing loss, besides detracting from quality of life and the strength of relationships, has been linked to other health concerns like depression etc

7. Turn the volume down :

According to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss from unsafe use of audio devices.

If you like to enjoy music through headphones or earbuds, you can protect your ears by following the 60/60 rule. The suggestion is to listen with headphones at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.

Earplugs are especially worse for the ears , opt for over-the-ear headphones.

Don't forget that any loud music, not just music played through headphones, presents a risk for noise-induced hearing loss. If you're hosting a social event, keep the music at a volume which won't force people to shout in order to hold a conversation.