The ability to hear is something that many of us have, yet don’t fully appreciate. Some of us may take it for granted, or some may go about their lives not thinking much about their ability to hear, and how it is such a blessing. For those who have total to partial hearing loss, they know that having this ability is not a trivial matter. If you think hearing loss is no big deal, think again. Hearing loss can affect your health, relationships, safety, and even your emotional state. However, education is the best way to stay prepared and vigilant, especially if you want to preserve your ability to hear.
During the month of May we celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month, and in celebration, we bring you some simple ways you can protect your hearing.
- Eat a healthy diet. You are what you eat after all. Eating an unhealthy diet can increase your chances of developing health conditions that can affect your hearing, such as diabetes.
- Get out and get your body moving! By exercising, you get your heart pumping, and this pumps blood directly to your ears. Not only is exercise good for your physical body, but it will also help your ears stay healthy.
- Avoid loud noises at all costs. Kind of seems like a no-brainer, right? Keep your windows rolled up when you are in traffic, stay away from speakers at a concert, avoid giving your kids loud toys and keep your distance from all other loud sounds.
- Do you often operate noisy equipment, or enjoy shooting at the gun range? Wear ear protection, such as earplugs and earmuffs to help protect your ears from the damaging sound. If the noise level exceeds 85 dB, wear ear protection.
- Work in a loud environment? When you are subjected to loud noises for an extended period of time, make sure you take regular breaks. A good rule of thumb is to take at least a 10-minute break every hour.
- Keep the volume level set to an appropriate level on all of your electronic devices. This goes for televisions, portable DVD players, cell phones, radios, as well as personal MP3 players.
- Need to clean your ears? Don’t use a cotton swab! Your ears are self-cleaning, so putting anything inside your ears only increases your risk of damaging the sensitive organs in your ear. If you suffer from excessive earwax, see your doctor.
- Help fight swimmer’s ear and ear infections by keeping your ears dry. Water and moisture buildup will allow for the growth of bacteria, which can lead to a very painful condition that can affect your hearing. Ensure that your ears stay dry by wearing swimmer’s ear plugs and by gently drying your ears every time you exit the water.
- Smoke cigarettes? If you need another reason as to why you should quit, your hearing can be negatively affected by the toxins that cigarettes contain.
- Sometimes certain medications can contribute to hearing loss. Make sure you only take your medicine as directed. If you are concerned about your hearing ability, discuss the medications you are taking with your doctor.
- Schedule regular visits with a licensed audiologist, especially if you think you may have hearing loss. A physician can help you assess your condition and will work with you to determine the best course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eating a healthy diet is important for hearing health because consuming unhealthy foods can lead to conditions such as diabetes that negatively affect your hearing. Maintaining a balanced diet supports overall wellness and helps preserve your auditory function.
Exercise promotes better hearing by increasing blood circulation throughout the body, including the ears. Improved blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the auditory system, helping maintain its health and functionality.
To protect your ears from loud noises, avoid exposure to high-volume environments such as concerts or heavy traffic. Additionally, use ear protection like earplugs or earmuffs if you are around noises exceeding 85 decibels, and take regular breaks if you work in noisy settings to reduce risk of hearing damage.
No, using cotton swabs to clean your ears is not recommended because it can damage the sensitive structures inside the ear. Your ears are self-cleaning, and if you have excessive earwax buildup, it’s best to consult a doctor for safe removal methods.
Prevent swimmer’s ear and ear infections by keeping your ears dry and free from moisture buildup. Wearing swimmer’s ear plugs during water activities and gently drying your ears after exposure to water helps inhibit bacterial growth that can cause infections and affect hearing.
Yes, smoking can negatively impact your hearing due to the toxins present in cigarettes. These harmful substances may damage the auditory system, contributing to hearing loss over time, so quitting smoking can benefit your ear health.
Certain medications may contribute to hearing loss if not used properly. It's important to take medicines as directed and discuss any hearing concerns with your doctor, who can evaluate the risk and suggest alternatives if necessary.
Regular visits to a licensed audiologist are important to monitor your hearing health, especially if you suspect any hearing loss. Early detection through professional assessment allows for timely intervention and helps determine the best treatment options to preserve your hearing.