How to Make Sure Your Hearing Stays Proper as You Age?

Once your hearing gets damaged, it is permanently lost. That is why it’s important for people to know about hearing loss, all the possible diagnoses, early hearing loss symptoms, and the available and best solutions for this problem. 

Therefore, in this article, we’ll introduce you to all the necessary information on how we can look after and take proper care of our hearing at any age. 

So keep reading till the end to know it all. 

1. Wear Earplugs When Exposed to Loud Noises

Around 15% of Americans suffer from noise-induced hearing impairment due to loud workplaces or noisy surroundings.

Clubs, concerts, chainsaws, lawnmowers, and many other factors can be the source of loud noises that can severely affect the hearing of many people. 

So, to prevent this, wearing earplugs can be a great solution. Moreover, these are convenient and also inexpensive. You can even get a pair specifically fitted to your ears from a hearing professional.

Musicians’ earplugs are custom-made earplugs with filters that allow a person to hear conversations and also enjoy music while reducing the dangers of loud noises. 

2. Reduce the Volume of Your Audio Devices

The World Health Organization estimates that around 1.1 billion teenagers worldwide are at continuous risk of noise-induced hearing loss because of the extensive use of their audio devices.

If you love listening to music on your headphones or earbuds, you can protect your hearing by following the “60/60” rule. 

The rule recommends listening with headphones at a maximum volume of 60% for not more than 60 minutes per day.

Keep in mind that no matter what type of loud music you listen to, there is a risk of noise-induced hearing loss. So, if you’re holding a social event, try to keep the music low enough that people don’t have to yell to communicate.

3. Give Time for Your Ears to Recover

When your ears are exposed to loud noises for a longer period of time (such as at a concert or in a bar) they require some time to recover. 

So, if you are at a concert, try to take short breaks from those loud noises and step outside for a few minutes to allow your ears to relax.

This will not put too much stress on your ears and you can keep your hearing healthy. However, if you can’t take short breaks, then at least try to stay at a safe distance from the source of the music. 

Don’t go standing at the frontline of these concerts as those are the positions where the music and sound are the loudest and can affect your hearing.  

4. Avoid the Use of Cotton Swabs 

While it’s pretty common among people to use cotton buds or swabs to clean their ears, however, this is not at all recommended by experts and audiologists. 

This is because a small amount of wax in your ears is necessary. Ears are self-cleaning organs, and the wax seals off the canal from dust and other hazardous particles. 

Moreover, inserting anything into the ear canals increases the risks of causing damage to sensitive organs such as the eardrum.

If there is extra wax, carefully clean the canal area with a moist towel. This softens the wax and allows it to trickle out naturally.

5. Only Take Prescribed Medications and Hearing Aids

Certain medications, such as aspirin and naproxen, can often cause hearing impairment. So, always consult with your physician before taking any medications. Also, if you have issues like tinnitus, consider taking hearing aids as per your audiologist’s advice.

Moreover, only take those medications that your health care provider suggests to you. Other than that, try avoiding the consumption of any kind of medication. 

6. Keep Your Ear Canals Dry

Excessive wetness might cause bacteria to enter the ear canal and attack it. This can result in “swimmer’s ear” or other ear infections, which can result in hearing disabilities. 

After a shower or swim, carefully towel-dry your ears. If you feel any presence of water in your ear, turn it to the side and gently tug on your earlobe to bring the water out.

You can also keep your ears dry and healthy by wearing swimmers’ earplugs that prevent water from entering the ears. 

7. Exercising is Good for Your Ears

Cardiovascular movements such as running, walking, or cycling circulate blood throughout the body, including the ears. This keeps the inner parts of the ears healthy and functioning properly.

However, always use a helmet when cycling because a concussion can also result in hearing loss if you fall and hit your head.

8. Maintain Your Stress Levels

Tinnitus has been linked to both stress and anxiety. Stress causes your body to enter fight or flight mode, this response causes your body to increase the adrenaline levels in your body to help you fight or flee from danger. 

This body response places a lot of strain on your nerves and blood flow. Therefore, it’s widely believed that this stress can go up into your inner ear and contribute to the symptoms of tinnitus.

Bottom Line

To keep your ears healthy, it’s essential to undergo regular checkups from your healthcare provider. 

Due to the gradual nature of hearing loss, it is also recommended that you visit a hearing healthcare professional on a yearly basis. This way, you’ll be more likely to notice early symptoms of hearing loss and be better prepared to take action.