As we age, it’s important to be more mindful of our health, as we become more susceptible to physical changes and conditions of all kinds. One that is often overlooked is the changes that can begin to affect our hearing. Hearing loss can come on gradually, without you even noticing, so it’s important that you take steps to address it and prevent it now, and here, we’ll look at how you can do that.
Avoid Excessive Noise Levels
One of the leading causes of hearing loss, including in older people, is continued exposure to excessive levels of noise. Noise damage can build up over a lifetime, and we become more sensitive to it as time goes on. A such, you should be sure to avoid prolonged exposure to any loud noises, such as loud music, power tools, or even highly crowded environments. The louder the noise is, the less time it takes to have a risk of permanent damage, so you should do what you can to avoid those situations in the first place.
Protect Your Hearing
Of course, sometimes it’s not feasible or easy to avoid being exposed to loud noises. If you’re mowing the lawn or working in a loud environment, you might not be able to control the noise levels. Or you may simply enjoy going to concerts and want to do it safely. If your lifestyle puts in repeated contact with excessive levels of noise, custom ear plugs can be vital in protecting your lasting damage to your hearing. Prioritizing protection in noisy settings ensures your ears are shielded from harm. Over time, this habit helps maintain your hearing health, especially as your ears naturally become more vulnerable with age.
Avoid Overuse Of In-Ear Devices
One of the leading risks of noise damage, at the moment, is the overuse of earbuds, in-ear headphones, and other in-ear devices, especially when they are used at high volumes. Over-ear headphones are better, though there is still some risk associated with them. If you want to use them as safely as possible, follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. Give your ears regular breaks and avoid using headphones in noisy environments where you’re tempted to crank up the volume.
Get Regular Hearing Tests
If you’re getting a little concerned about protecting your hearing, then you should know that you should never assume anything about your hearing health. It’s always wise to take the time to monitor your ear health with regular hearing checkups. You should attend a screening every few years after 50, or sooner if you notice symptoms like ringing, muffled sounds, or trouble understanding speech. Early detection allows for early intervention, which can slow further deterioration and improve your quality of life.
Hearing loss affects a lot of people, and it targets older people much more regularly. Follow the tips above to prevent it and be fully aware of your hearing health condition.
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