How to Protect Your Hearing
Our ears are one of our most important resources. They allow us to hear our friends, loved ones, and co-workers speaking to us. They also allow us to hear the warning sounds of danger, such as a tornado siren or the honking of a car horn.
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Unfortunately, it is quite easy to put our ear health at risk. Working in a loud factory around noisy machinery, for instance, can increase your risk of hearing loss. Listening to music too loudly through headphones or earbuds can also damage hearing, as can frequent concert attendance.
Perhaps one of the biggest ways you can put your hearing at risk is by neglecting to get your ears checked if you notice a possible deterioration in your hearing.
Hearing loss is not always preventable, but in order to keep our ears as healthy and as high-functioning as possible, there are steps we can take to minimize our risk. These steps are simple and easy to put into practice, so in the end, the only thing you lose is the risk of hearing loss.
1. Know when your surroundings are too loud
If you must shout to be heard by someone near you or if you have trouble hearing them over the background noise, then your surroundings are too loud. A noise is too loud if it hurts your ears to listen to it or if you find that after you move away from it, things sound muffled or there is a ringing in your ears.Sound is measured in decibels, and any sound over 85 decibels can cause harm to the ears if you are exposed to it for a long period. Some examples of sounds over 85 decibels are the sound of motorcycle engines, music listened to at full volume through headphones, a hairdryer next to your ear, or the sound of a plane taking off. If possible, try to limit the amount of time you spend around these types of sounds to protect your hearing from long-term damage.
2. Protect your hearing with earplugs (and frequent breaks)
If you have to be around loud noises, be sure to protect your hearing. For instance, wear earplugs when working near loud machinery in a factory. It is also recommended that you take a break from the loud noise every 15 minutes.If you are going to a concert, don’t stand next to the speakers and consider wearing musician’s earplugs, which don’t muffle the music but reduce the volume.
3. Turn down the volume
Most teenagers (and adults) enjoy listening to music at high volumes through headphones or in the car. Unfortunately, this is one of the best ways to damage your hearing and can even lead to using hearing aids later in life. Turning down the volume of the music you are listening to until it is at a comfortable, safe volume is a great way to protect your ears against damage.
4. Get a hearing test
Don't forget to get your hearing checked at the first sign of trouble. It can make a difference in keeping your ears healthy and preventing permanent hearing loss. Signia's online hearing test can give you an initial indication if you might have hearing loss. You can take the test online or through the app on your smartphone.
While it is not meant to replace the expertise of a doctor, the results of the test can let you know if there is something you need to get checked, or if your hearing is at an optimal level.
Your hearing health is vital to living a safe and happy life, so be sure to do all you can to protect your hearing.