One out of eight people in the US is affected by hearing loss in both ears. The statistics certainly are shocking, especially considering that not everybody is getting regular tests.
When we lose our hearing, it’s often gone for good. Unfortunately, while there are products that can help, they can’t completely reverse the damage. This is why it’s so important to take care of yourself.
Are you interested in learning more? Below we will discuss some of the ways you can protect your hearing.
Attend regular check-ups
It’s common to have a hearing problem and not even realize it, so if you haven’t visited an audiologist in a while, now is the time to do so. They will be able to rule out any significant issues and offer you the proper treatment options.
In between appointments, be sure to keep a look out for different hearing loss symptoms. You may need to go in earlier before it gets worse.
Remove wax safelyÂ
Using Q-Tips can feel great, but it’s one of the worst things you can do for your hearing. Instead of cleaning, they push the wax further down, causing it to become impacted.
Earwax is good for our bodies, so try to leave it alone as much as you can. If you can’t resist, opt for an over-the-counter removal kit that softens everything. You can also reach out to your healthcare provider.
Wear hearing protection
If you’re constantly in loud environments, such as construction sites or factories, it’s important to wear hearing protection. Good quality earplugs and muffs will block out much of the sound so that your ears aren’t overwhelmed.
Of course, taking regular breaks is still a good idea too. This will give you time to recover so that you don’t have that awful ringing at the end of the night.
Keep your ears dry
Water in your ears can be incredibly irritating, but that’s not the only reason to keep them dry. Moisture can cause bacteria to enter the canal, leading to dangerous infections.
After swimming or bathing, tilt your head and let as much water out as possible, then towel dry gently. If you spend a lot of time in the pool, look into purchasing a good pair of swimming plugs.
Lower your volume
Lastly, and perhaps one of the simplest tips to follow, is to lower your volume. Most experts recommend keeping the level at between 60-85 decibels. If it is any louder, you should limit your usage to around 15 minutes.
It’s also a wise choice to switch to over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds. The less you poke in your canal, the better.
Final words
As you can see from the above, there are many different ways to protect your hearing. So next time you’re at a rock concert or admiring fireworks, make sure to take the necessary precautions. The more careful you are, the longer you can enjoy listening to the world’s many sounds.
