2020 is officially here. January is the first month of the year, and the decade, so make sure in 2020 you are putting your best foot forward in everything you do. Including taking care of your health. However, when we say health, we mean the complete package, and that includes your ears and ability to hear. Hearing health is usually not on most people’s top list of priorities, but it should be. The ability to hear is a gift that many do not fully appreciate until they become hearing impaired. While hearing loss can happen gradually as you age, as part of the aging process, not all cases of impaired hearing happen naturally. In many cases, hearing loss could have been prevented. If you haven’t made your New Year hearing resolutions yet, there is no better time than the present.
New Year hearing resolutions should be on your list for 2020, and if they aren’t, make sure you make some additions to your New Year resolutions. Here are some hearing resolutions that everyone should follow this year and the years to come.
• Be mindful of your volume levels, and that goes for your television set, your MP3 player, your car radio, etc. Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common forms, but it also is the most preventable. While you may get lost in the noise, pay extra mind to your volume levels.
• Aim to give your ears a break anytime you are exposed to continuous loud noise. While other precautions also need to be followed, giving yourself periodic breaks from the source of noise can help guard you against hearing damage. Just make sure you find a quiet place, away from the source of the sound.
• Remember to always have hearing plugs with you when you go to a concert or a show, or to any place that gets loud. Noise levels can quickly become damaging to your ears, so you want to make sure you have protection. Cheap, disposable foam earplugs are fine, and can be purchased in bulk so you can keep some in your car, purse, bag, and wherever else you may need them.
• Make sure you know and understand the levels of sound and what is considered dangerous. Any sound that is over 85 decibels runs the risk of damaging your hearing if continually exposed. However, don’t worry if you have a hard time deciphering what is too loud, because, with modern technology, smartphone apps are available to analyze the noise levels in your environment. Making it easy and straightforward to learn precisely how loud is too loud.
• You more than likely got your hearing checked regularly as a kid, so don’t let that pattern stop as an adult. In 2020, aim to see a hearing care professional to get your ears and hearing checked. In many cases, when caught early, hearing loss can be treated, and you can continue to live in a world with sound. However, if you wait too long, problems can snowball and become harder to manage. So let 2020 be the year that you stay on top of your health!
Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing health is often overlooked but is essential because the ability to hear is a vital gift that many only appreciate once impaired. Taking proactive steps can prevent or delay hearing loss, especially since some hearing damage is preventable with proper care and attention.
To prevent noise-induced hearing loss, be mindful of your volume levels on devices like TVs, MP3 players, and car radios. Also, give your ears regular breaks from continuous loud noise by finding quiet spaces. Using earplugs in loud environments such as concerts can offer effective protection against damage.
Sounds exceeding 85 decibels are considered potentially damaging if you are exposed to them continuously. It is important to be aware of these levels and use tools like smartphone apps to measure noise in your environment and avoid prolonged exposure to harmful sound levels.
Disposable foam earplugs are affordable and easy to find in bulk at drugstores, online retailers, or specialty stores. Keeping earplugs in accessible places such as your car, purse, or bag ensures you’re prepared to protect your ears whenever you encounter loud environments.
Adults should have their hearing evaluated regularly, just like children do. Early detection by a hearing care professional can help manage hearing loss effectively. Scheduling annual or biannual hearing assessments can help maintain hearing health and address any issues promptly.
If you are often in loud environments, such as concerts or noisy workplaces, wear earplugs to protect your ears. Additionally, give your ears periodic breaks away from loud noise and monitor noise levels using smartphone apps to ensure you don’t exceed safe decibel limits.
Yes, modern smartphone apps can measure the decibel level of your environment, helping you identify when the noise is dangerously loud. These tools make it simple to stay informed about your sound exposure and take steps to protect your hearing accordingly.