Tips For Optimal Hearing Health

Zuleihat Chatta

It’s easy to take our ears for granted, ar care is extremely important for ensuring our ears are protected against damaging sounds and substances (such as water) and helps to keep hearing loss at bay.

There are a number of simple but highly effective ways of caring for your ears. Below, we discuss top tips for caring for your ears, to help you safeguard their long term health.

1. Use Hearing Protection For loud music

If you regularly go to concerts, ensure you’re protecting your ears from loud music by using earplugs or taking regular breaks from the sound.

It can take up to 16 hours of quiet time to recover from one excessively loud night out. A regular 5 minute break will help your ears recover but wearing earplugs or earmuffs will offer extra protection.

2. Don’t Listen To Your Personal Music Player At A High Volume

Not being able to hear external sounds when your headphones are on, or if the person next to you can hear it too, means it’s too loud. We recommend that for an MP3 player or equivalent device, 60% volume for 60 minutes a day is ample. If your loud music is causing ear pain, this is another sign that you need to take a break.

Listening to personal music players at a high volume can have several negative effects on your health and well-being.

Listening to music at a high volume for an extended period can lead to permanent hearing loss or damage. Our ears have a limited capacity to handle loud sounds, and exposing them to excessive volumes can cause irreversible harm.

Playing music at high volumes can also increase the risk of developing tinnitus, a condition characterised by a constant ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Tinnitus can be persistent and interfere with everyday life, making it difficult to concentrate or sleep.

To protect your hearing and overall well-being, it is important to listen to music at a moderate volume. If you are using headphones or earphones, consider using noise-cancelling or isolating ones that block out external noise, allowing you to enjoy your music at a lower volume while still hearing it clearly.

3. Keep The Sound As Low As Possible On The TV And Radio

We all enjoy our favourite TV shows, movies, and music, but blasting them at high volumes for hours on end is a recipe for disaster. Not only can it cause immediate discomfort and annoyance, but it can also have long-term effects on our hearing. Constant exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears), and other auditory problems.

Reducing the volume even slightly can make a significant difference in protecting your ear health. It may take some time to adjust, especially if you’re used to having the sound blaring, but your ears will thank you in the long run. Consider investing in a good pair of headphones or earbuds, as they can help you enjoy your favourite shows or music without disturbing others and without the need to turn up the volume.

Additionally, be mindful of the noise levels in your surroundings. If you’re in a noisy environment, try to find a quieter spot or use earplugs to reduce the impact on your ears. This is particularly important if you regularly attend concerts, sporting events, or any other loud gatherings.

Remember, protecting your ear health is essential, and making simple adjustments like keeping the sound as low as possible on your TV and radio can go a long way. Taking care of your ears now will ensure that you can continue to enjoy the beauty of sound for years to come.

4. Rail Against Workplace Noise

If your workplace does not provide adequate protection against noise, consider investing in custom moulded earplugs. These earplugs are specifically designed to fit your ear canal, providing a comfortable and secure fit. Unlike generic earplugs, custom moulded ones can effectively block out harmful noise while still allowing you to hear important sounds like speech, ambient noise, shouted warnings, alarms, telephones, and radios. They are a great option for those who work in consistently noisy environments.

If possible, try to take short breaks away from the noisy area. Use this time to rest your ears and allow them to recover from constant exposure to loud sounds. Stepping outside or finding a quiet spot in the workplace can do wonders for your hearing health.

If your workplace permits it, invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones work by actively reducing external noise, creating a quieter environment for you to work in. They can be particularly helpful if you need to focus on a task that requires concentration and minimal distractions.

It is important to monitor your hearing health regularly, especially if you work in a noisy environment. Schedule regular appointments with an audiologist to have your hearing tested. Early detection of any hearing loss can help prevent further damage and allow for appropriate interventions.

5. Reduce Loud Music In The Car

We all love jamming out to our favourite tunes while driving, but have you ever stopped to think about the potential harm it could cause to your ears? As enjoyable as it may be, blasting loud music in a confined space like your car can actually put undue pressure on your ears, leading to long-term damage to your hearing.

Now that we know the potential risks, it’s crucial to take steps to reduce loud music in the car. Here are some tips to help protect your ears:

Before starting your car, set a maximum volume limit on your sound system. By doing so, you’ll have a predefined threshold that prevents you from turning up the volume to dangerous levels

If you’re planning a long drive, make sure to take regular breaks from listening to music. Give your ears some rest by turning off the sound system altogether. This break will not only reduce the risk of ear damage but also help prevent ear fatigue.

6. Don’t Use Cotton Buds Or Ear Candling

Caring for the health of our ears is often overlooked, but it is crucial to ensure overall well-being. While many people resort to using cotton buds as a quick and easy method to remove earwax, this common practice is not advisable and can actually be harmful.

Inserting cotton buds or cotton swabs into the ear canal to clean your ears can do more harm than good. Instead of removing earwax, the buds can inadvertently push the ear wax further into the ear canal, leading to a blockage or impaction. This blockage can cause various symptoms such as earache, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or even dizziness. Using a cotton bud can damage delicate ear canals and potentially perforate the eardrum, resulting in severe complications and potential hearing loss.

It’s important to understand that earwax plays a vital role in protecting our ears. It helps trap dirt, dust, and other foreign particles, preventing them from reaching the delicate structures of the ear canal. As a natural self-cleaning process, the earwax slowly moves from the inner ear to the outer ear, where it eventually dries up and falls out. Therefore, it is unnecessary to clean your ears excessively or try to remove earwax on your own.

To maintain healthy ears, it is recommended to gently clean the outer ear with a soft cloth during regular bathing or showering. However, avoid inserting any objects into the ear canal, including cotton buds, as they can disrupt the natural cleaning process and potentially cause harm.

If you suspect that you have excess earwax or are experiencing any discomfort, it is crucial to seek professional help.

7. Keep Your Ear Dry

Excess moisture in the ears can create a favourable environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to various ear infections. The ear canal is a warm and moist area, making it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Therefore, it is essential to remove any residual moisture from your ears after activities such as swimming or showering.

To drain your ears after being exposed to water, tilt your head to one side. Gently pull on your earlobe and slightly shake your head to encourage the water to come out. You can also use a soft towel or tissue to gently pat the outer part of your ear to aid in the drying process. However, it is crucial to remember not to insert anything into your ear canal, as this can cause damage or push the water further in.

8. Keep On The Move

Regular exercise not only benefits our overall health but also plays a significant role in protecting our ears. Incorporating activities such as walking, running, or cycling into our routine can help keep our blood pumping, including to the ears. This increased blood flow is crucial for maintaining the health and proper functioning of our ears.