Advice you will want to hear

One in five Brits is affected by some degree of hearing loss. It’s the second most common disability, yet often goes unnoticed. To mark World Hearing Day tomorrow, Michele O’Connor explores key ways to protect this precious sense

Be picky about headphones

“Opt for decent noise-cancelling over-ear headphones so you don’t have to turn your music or podcast up to hear it over background sounds,” advises Franki Oliver, Audiology Specialist at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

“View them as you would a quality item of clothing and think about cost per wear. It’s an investment in your hearing.”

Turn the sound down

Use the volume limiters on smartphones as well as headphones – and set the volume while you are in a quiet environment.

If you have to turn it down when someone speaks to you then it’s simply too loud.

Follow the 60:60 rule

Limit headphone music to 60 per cent of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.

The longer you listen to overly loud noise the less time it takes for damage to occur, so take regular breaks. Anything above 85 decibels is harmful.

Leave ear wax alone

It can be unsightly, but some wax is a good thing, protecting your ear canal and eardrum, trapping dirt and germs.

Newly formed skin from the middle of the eardrum will normally help to push wax and debris out along the ear canal.

“The golden rule is never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear,” warns Franki.

If you have a build-up causing discomfort, a reduction in hearing and/or earache, ask a pharmacist about eardrops to soften the wax.

If this doesn’t work, healthcare professionals can perform microsuction or safely flush wax out with warm water.

Eat a healthy Mediterranean diet

Just as your heart and brain benefit from a good diet, so does your hearing, say researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, US.

They followed more than 70,000 women for 22 years to determine a possible link between their eating habits and hearing loss.

Their study found that those whose diets were low in salt and high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, legumes and olive oil, with only a moderate amount of alcohol, were about a third less likely to experience hearing loss than those with more unhealthy diets.

Take a daily walk

Exercise improves blood flow to all cells, including the delicate hair cells in the inner ear responsible for translating the sound into electrical impulses sent to the brain. Research published in The American Journal of Medicine found that people who walked for an average of two hours every week had a reduced risk of hearing loss.

Lose excess pounds

Being overweight affects blood circulation, including flow to the tiny auditory cells in the inner ear. Over time, this can cause permanent damage, resulting in hearing loss.

Know your medication

More than 200 widely used drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (in large, regular doses), several antibiotics and certain cancer treatments are known to have ear-toxic, known as ototoxic, properties.

“Hearing should be monitored during chemotherapy,” adds Franki, who also warns that high doses of aspirin can cause tinnitus.

The hearing loss potentially associated with these drugs tends to develop quickly, with the severity ranging from temporary ringing to permanent impairment. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if concerned.

Dry your ears with a towel after swimming

Excess moisture can allow bacteria to enter and attack the ear canal.

If you are particularly prone to ear infections, such as swimmer’s ear, wear a well-fitting cap or ear plugs.

Act fast if you suddenly can’t hear

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

It can happen at any time to anyone regardless of age or whether they have had previous hearing problems.

“The cause is unknown but may be linked to an infection or problem with the ear’s blood supply,” says Franki.

Most people recover after emergency treatment with high-dose steroid medication, administered either orally or injected directly into the inner ear. Left untreated, it can result in permanent hearing loss.

“Forget your GP – go straight to A&E as soon as possible,” she advises.

Wear earplugs to concerts and firework displays

We may not be going to live gigs and festivals at the moment, but consider investing in earplugs when lockdown is over, advises Franki.

“These not only cut out harmful sounds but improve sound quality.”

Don’t rely on cotton balls or bits of tissue stuffed in your ears. They’ll screen out only about seven decibels of sound, while foam earplugs can block up to 32 decibels.

…And keep some on your bedside table

Snoring can reach levels of 90 decibels – louder than a road drill – which is bad news for bedmates.

In a Canadian study, partners of chronic snorers had noise-induced hearing loss in the ear near the snorer.

Snack on some pumpkin seeds

Studies suggest the mineral magnesium can help maintain nerve function and protect the hair cells in the inner ear when exposed to loud noises. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium, as are nuts, spinach and bananas.

‘‘ Being overweight affects blood flow to the ear and can cause damage

Get checked

Statistics show that people wait up to 10 years from first suspecting a hearing loss to actually having their ears tested. Only around 40 per cent who need hearing aids have them. Hearing tests are free on the NHS.

You can ask to be referred to a hospital audiology department by your GP or have online or in-person tests from High Street audiologists. It’s recommended you have your hearing checked every two years over 50.

■Visit rnid.org.uk for more information on hearing loss