We live in a noisy world. From traffic sounds to the constant beeping of your microwave, you are constantly bombarded with noise. This is especially true if you work in an office or somewhere with machinery running all day long. After years and years of this constant bombardment, it’s no surprise that people develop hearing problems like tinnitus or even complete deafness.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to start taking care of your hearing. Here are some tips you can follow:
Always Wear Earplugs When Attending Loud Events
You might feel a little silly wearing them, but they’ll protect both your ears as well as those around you from noise-induced hearing loss. If you’re at a concert or sporting event, make sure to keep them in for the entire performance.
Even though it might be tempting to take them out between songs or quarters of an NFL game, these moments are when your ears can suffer damage from exposure to loud noises.
Visit An Audiologist
If you suspect that your hearing is deteriorating, schedule a visit with an audiologist as soon as possible. While there’s no guaranteed way to stop age-related hearing loss, they can recommend ways for you to hear better and lessen the chances of it getting worse. They can also perform any necessary tests, such as checking your ears for wax buildup.
A hearing test is the only way to learn whether you have a loss in sensitivity or other factors responsible for difficulties with sound perception because this information dictates how the treatment should proceed.
A simple screening does not assess all possible causes of hearing trouble, and it is not a substitute for complete diagnostic testing.
Hearing Aids Dialogue With Your Doctor
Your doctor should provide an assessment of your hearing loss and make recommendations about treatment, including the option to use one or more devices before it becomes severe enough to warrant medical attention. If you choose hearing aids, learn how they work so that you can get the most out of them.
Hearing aid technology can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, so it is essential to learn about your specific device’s features before buying or trying one. For example, some hearing aids are programmed to prioritize speech amplification over environmental sounds. In contrast, others have a manual setting that lets users adjust the sound levels for each environment they’re in.
Avoid Loud Noises and Sounds
One of the leading causes of age-related hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. If you’re regularly attending concerts or playing in a band, learn to protect your ears from damage with earplugs. In addition, try limiting time on noisy machineries such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers so that you can prevent hearing loss from occurring.
Take Care of Your Ears to Preserve Hearing Loss Prevention
Your ears are sensitive, so take care when using headphones or earbuds. If you have a hearing aid, learn how to clean it and maintain its function correctly. Use over-the-counter wax-removal products if your ears need extra help clearing away buildup from time to time. Be aware of how loud your environment is, and talk to a physician if you have been exposed to noise at work or through other activities that make it difficult to hear people speaking.
If you experience discomfort, pain, ringing in the ears, muffled hearing, or dizziness after any exposure to sound. Learn more about what you can do to protect your hearing.
Avoid Long Durations In Loud Spaces
While it’s okay to attend concerts and such, you should limit the length of time you do so. Every minute in a loud place without earplugs adds up and can cause permanent damage.
Don’t Completely Ignore Any Ringing Or Buzzing Sounds
Your ears are extremely sensitive, so it is essential to pay attention to anything you hear. If you notice any ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, ensure that you do not ignore them right away.
You can quite quickly lose some of your hearing abilities if these kinds of sounds persist for an extended period without being checked by a
Avoid Putting Anything Into Your Ear Canal
This includes cotton swabs which can push wax deeper into your ears and cause more issues. Instead, use a wet washcloth to clean the exterior of your ears.
If you think that wax is preventing you from hearing sounds as well as before, see an ear, nose, and throat specialist who may be able to remove it for you painlessly through suctioning or other routine methods.
Don’t Listen to Music Too Loudly
This is especially true if you’re wearing headphones. Prolonged exposure to loud music can damage your hearing, even when using earbuds or in-ear headphones that don’t pump the sound directly into your ears. So make sure you are listening at a safe volume.
The tips covered above should help you keep your hearing in the best shape possible. As a bonus, it will also help protect other people around you from having to listen to “that noise” that drives them crazy! There is no reason why we can’t enjoy sound and music when we get older. If anything, our ability to hear these wonderful things enhances their beauty. Maintaining your hearing is a vital step in aging gracefully, so it’s worth the effort!
