5 ways to protect hearing every day
The saying “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” is never more true than in regard to hearing. It’s easy to take hearing for granted, but even momentary hearing loss can highlight how vital it is to protect hearing.
People rely on headphones or ear buds to listen to music, stream movies or participate in work-related meetings more than ever before. Having the volume too loud can contribute to hearing loss over time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says five in 10 young people listen to their music or other audio too loudly. Overall, 48 million people in the United States have trouble hearing in one or both of their ears. Johns Hopkins Medical Center reports approximately 15 percent of adults 18 years of age or older report some trouble hearing, and the risk of hearing problems increases with age.
Once it’s gone, hearing cannot be restored in many cases. To protect hearing and guard against future hearing loss, consider these recommendations:
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. Ask for a baseline hearing test: It’s easier to measure hearing loss if there is a baseline by which it can be measured. During your annual physical, ask for a hearing test or a referral to an audiologist. This can set the course for monitoring progression of any future hearing loss.
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. Wear hearing protection: There are various types of hearing protection
It’s important to take steps to preserve your hearing. that can filter out certain
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levels of sound. Many earplugs, . Have custom molds like the ones musicians made: Rather than wear or those worn turning up the volume, when attending rock concerts, people can have custom ear can reduce the sound molds made for use with by approximately 25 dB. earphones, suggests Johns Custom fit ear plugs provide Hopkins. The custom ear more noise reduction, in upwards molds will block outside of 35 to 40 dB. They noise, allowing for higher are optimal for high-noise quality listening. environments, such as when mowing lawns or operating
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machinery, according to the Moisture in the ear can hearing loss resource Hearts cause bacteria to grow and for Hearing. potentially lead to infections. Towel-dry ears gently after showering or swimming. Avoid the temptation to use cotton swabs to dry the ears. For the most part, ears are self-cleaning, and using a cotton swab can push wax and cause it to become compacted in the ear canal.
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. Turn down the volume: Experts recommend adhering to the 60⁄60 rule when enjoying audio through headphones. This suggestion is to listen with the headphones at no more than 60 percent volume for no more than 60minutes a day. Earbuds fit directly next to the eardrum and can be harmful to your hearing. If possible, choose over-theear headphones instead.
. Keep your ears dry:
In addition to these tips, discussing hearing health with a doctor is a wise idea.