Music. Birds chirping. Sounds of the waves on the beach. Laughter. Hearing your loved ones tell you they love you. These are all things that you will want to be able to hear for the rest of your life. Use the following 5 tips to ensure that you’re protecting your hearing.
1.) Wear Earplugs
Make sure you are carrying around earplugs if you know you’re going to be in an environment that tends to be louder than normal. Even if you don’t plan on being in a loud environment, it’s always smart to keep some handy.
A loud amplifier, tool, or gunshot can all cause immediate damage to your hearing. Earplugs combat this by deadening the sound to prevent damage before it takes place.
2.) Keep Your Headphone Volume to a Minimum
People think that the louder their music is, the better. But little do they know that they are seriously and continuously damaging their hearing.
Use the 60:60 rule to safely listen to music with headphones. Listen at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes per day. While listening to music with headphones at maximum volume, the sound generated can reach a level of over 100 decibels- loud enough to begin causing permanent damage after JUST 15 minutes per day!
3.) Turn Down the Dial
Even the volume from your television or radio can impair your hearing. If you need to raise your voice to be heard over the sound coming from your television, radio or stereo, it’s too loud! Just a small reduction in the volume can be a big help to your hearing.
4.) Take a Break
If you have been exposed to loud volumes, like being at a concert for three hours, your ears will need a break! According to Action on Hearing Loss, you need at least 16 hours of rest for your ears to recover after spending around two hours in 100 decibels sound. Whether that means using earplugs or taking a quiet day to yourself, your ears and hearing will thank you!
5.) Schedule Hearing Checkups
Just to be sure that everything is well with your ears, schedule an appointment with an Audiologist on a regular basis. These professionals can identify the earliest signs of hearing change and recommend strategies to keep your hearing as sharp as possible.
Let’s face it; no one wants hearing loss or hearing aids. But even more, no one wants to be left out or isolated. To take the first step in improving your hearing and quality of life, contact us here.
