There are many different types and causes of hearing loss, and while some are not preventable, others are. By adopting some minor habits, you can maintain your hearing health for longer and keep preventable hearing loss at bay. Let’s discuss some of these habits here.
Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is the second-most common type of hearing loss, and this is due largely to the fact that our modern world is so loud. Here are some listening habits related to volume levels that can prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Turn Down the Volume
As technology advances, entertainment technology, like speakers and televisions, is getting louder and louder. Whenever you’re listening to music or audio, whether through headphones or speakers, keep the volume moderate. Generally, try to listen at 60% of the volume.
Consider Noise-Cancelling Headphones
On that note, let’s discuss headphones. Noise-cancelling headphones are a great option for safe listening because they have great sound quality and decrease the amount of background noise that comes through, so you can listen at quieter, safer volume levels without sacrificing the audio’s quality.
Wear Hearing Protection
We know you can’t don earmuffs for every siren that passes you by, but there are many situations where hearing protection is possible and necessary. Events like rock concerts and sporting events are a prime example: as you stand in the cheering crowd and listen to the blaring speakers, hearing protection like earplugs will bring noise levels down to safer levels. This also holds true for any loud activity that lasts more than an hour, such as mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower.
Preventing Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is hearing loss caused by damage, blockage or other dysfunction in the outer or middle ear. These zones of the ear contain the ear canal, the eardrum and the three ossicle bones.
Don’t Use Cotton Swabs
Many people use cotton swabs (Q-tips) to remove earwax, but they may not realize this method can actually do more harm than good. While a small amount of earwax will stick to the cotton swab, most of it will be pushed back into the ear canal, where it can become impacted, like a snowball. This hard block of wax can obstruct sounds from reaching the ear, leading to hearing loss.
Your ears are self-cleaning, and they will naturally shed earwax without you needing to do anything. In the event of earwax compaction, however, you can use earwax softening drops to loosen and remove the blockage.
Keep the Inside of Your Ears Dry
Moisture inside the ear canal can lead to ear infections, which are prone to develop in dark, warm, moist places. Ear infections can cause fluid buildup and inflammation behind the eardrum, leading to discomfort and hearing loss. To prevent this, thoroughly dry your ears after swimming or showering. If you are a frequent swimmer, it’s a good idea to consider custom-made earplugs to keep water out of your ear canals.
Stay on Top of Hearing Health
Like with any health condition, being proactive with hearing health is one of the best ways to prevent any issues. One habit we highly encourage you to adopt is regularly visiting with an audiologist and getting your hearing checked, even if you don’t think you have any symptoms of hearing loss. Doing this will track changes in your hearing and find any potential damage before it worsens. If it’s been a while since your last hearing exam, or if you haven’t had one at all, call Aaron's Hearing Aid & Audiology Center today to schedule an appointment. We’re also happy to discuss more about healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily life to benefit your hearing health.