Taking good care of your hearing can help to prevent hearing loss and many of the health conditions associated with this. Despite this, few people take auditory health as seriously as they do other aspects of their health, leaving them much more vulnerable.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to care for your auditory health!
Wearing hearing protection.
Wearing hearing protection, especially in loud or noisy environments, is one of the easiest ways to care for your auditory health. After all, prolonged or even sudden exposure to loud noises is one of the key causes of hearing loss.
If you work in a noisy environment, it is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which, in this instance, includes sound-blocking earplugs or headphones. However, you may also want to invest in these tools if you’re going to be attending a concert or festival.
Attend regular hearing check-ups.
It is typically advised that adults get their hearing checked every 8-10 years, though these appointments should increase in frequency as you age or if you notice any changes to your hearing.
These tests help you to take care of your auditory health as they can often pick up on hearing issues before the symptoms start to present themselves. This puts you in the best possible position moving forward, as you can then find a good hearing specialist and put together a treatment plan.
Remember to take on all of the advice given to you by an audiologist - whether they’re prescribing hearing aids or suggesting that you make certain lifestyle modifications. After all, they are skilled medical professionals who only want what is best for you - and your hearing health! You should also use this as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about specific hearing conditions or issues.
Know the signs of hearing loss.
Being aware of the different signs or symptoms associated with hearing loss means that you’ll be able to take action quicker when they present themselves. Common signs of hearing loss include:
Constantly needing to change the volume setting on your phone, TV, or electrical devices
Struggling to keep up with conversations, especially in busy or noisy environments
Needing people to repeat themselves frequently in conversation
Ringing noise in the ear (tinnitus)
Speaking much louder than is necessary (without realizing that you are doing so).
Follow a healthy lifestyle.
Developing healthy habits can also help to protect your auditory health. For example, regular exercise can prevent inflammation and improve your cardiovascular health, both of which can work to protect you against age-related hearing loss.
Cutting down on your alcohol intake and quitting smoking can also help to prevent hearing loss or minimize some of the symptoms you are facing. For example, these lifestyle changes are often recommended to people dealing with tinnitus. Beyond this, they’re also important habits for a longer life.
Wear hearing aids if necessary.
According to a recent study from the National Council on Aging, only 16% of adults who need or would benefit from using hearing aids actually use them. As such, if you are dealing with hearing loss or have been prescribed hearing aids by your audiologist, it's important that you use them as directed. Failing to do so means that you’ll continue to deal with hearing loss symptoms, which could then begin to interfere with your daily life.
Beyond this, you should also make sure that you take good care of your hearing aids. This will extend the longevity of the device and help you to avoid costly repairs or maintenance issues. For example, you should avoid exposing your hearing aids to water and moisture and clean them after each use.
Final Thoughts.
Our hearing health plays a huge role in our day-to-day life. For example, it shapes our ability to communicate or interact with others, whether this be at work or in our social life. In fact, many of those experiencing hearing loss also tend to report feeling lonely as they are more likely to self-isolate or withdraw from social situations.
As such, it's crucial that you make an effort to care for your hearing health moving forward, whether this be through introducing some of the lifestyle changes mentioned above or simply turning down the volume on your electrical devices. Remember, if you’re dealing with any sudden changes to your hearing or believe that you are showing signs of hearing loss, you should reach out to an audiologist right away.