7 Ways to Prevent Early Hearing Loss

You wake up one morning and, to your horror, realize you can’t tell which direction the sound of your alarm clock is coming from. You realize that you can hear it, but it’s all muffled and distorted.

You’re terrified because as someone who’s gone to way too many concerts and listened to way too much music on headphones with the volume turned up way too loud, you know that your hearing has already been taking a hit.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, over 28 million Americans have hearing loss. And the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, one in every 10 people will be affected by some sort of hearing-related issue.

In short, we’re facing a global pandemic of people who are struggling to hear. And while there are many factors that contribute to hearing loss, including aging and genetics, there are also many things we can do to prevent it.

So here are 7 ways you can prevent early hearing loss and take care of your ears, both now and in the future. 

Reduce the noise around you

One of the risk factors for developing a hearing loss is noise exposure. Loud noise can cause permanent damage to hair cells in the inner ear which can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. Once damaged, these special sensory cells cannot be repaired by natural processes.

Reduce the noise around you. Dangerous noises don’t have to be very loud to cause damage, just about 80 decibels or higher can be damaging if you’re exposed for long enough. You might not always know when you’re being exposed to dangerous levels of sound, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid loud noises where you can.

Have your hearing checked regularly

Hearing loss often occurs gradually, so you may not be aware of it, especially if it develops slowly over several years. Your hearing care professional can determine the type and extent of your hearing loss and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

You should have your hearing tested at least once every decade up to age 50, and every three years after that. If you’re exposed to excessive noise (for example, due to working on a construction site), more frequent testing may be required.

Don’t Ignore Symptoms of Hearing Loss

If you notice that people tend to mumble or you have to turn the TV up louder than usual, make an appointment with a hearing care professional. The sooner you treat hearing loss, the better your outcomes will be.

If a hearing healthcare professional confirms that you have hearing loss, your doctor can help you understand what caused it and how to prevent further damage.

Remember, hearing loss may be caused by exposure to loud noise, certain drugs, injuries and infections, heredity, and other factors. The symptoms can develop so gradually that you may not even notice them at first. But if you do notice any signs of hearing loss such as difficulty hearing conversations or mishearing what people are saying, see your doctor for a hearing test and treatment as soon as possible.

Wear protective earplugs

Noise-induced hearing loss is a serious problem in the workplace, with over 30 million people exposed to loud noise at work each year. The best way to prevent NIHL is to use proper hearing protection such as earplugs, earmuffs, or similar devices whenever you’re around loud noises.

Hearing protection devices are rated based on the number of decibels (dB) they can reduce. Most single-use earplugs and muffs reduce noise by about 15 or 20 dB. However, if you’re exposed to higher levels of sound, you need more powerful hearing protection.

We created two different types of high-fidelity earplugs: HearSafe and HearGreat. Both are designed for use in high noise environments where the highest level of hearing protection is required.

The HearSafe plugs offer 29 dB of noise reduction while still allowing wearers to hear conversations and natural sounds clearly. They are comfortable enough for all-day wear and can be reused indefinitely without losing their effectiveness.

The HearGreat plugs also provide 27 dB of noise reduction, but they have higher fidelity than conventional foam plugs and can be used in a wide range of settings.

Wear earplugs when swimming

Swimming is no doubt a fun activity for you as well as your kids. But often, we forget to wear earplugs while swimming and wonder why our ears feel so heavy or sometimes even start to leak water. In some cases, this can lead to infections. Earplugs are the ultimate solution to the problem. It prevents any liquid from entering the ears.

Our high fidelity earplugs “HearSafe earplugs” and “HearGreat earplugs” are designed in such a way that they will stay put in your ears and protect them from any water damage. Our products are not just highly effective but also very comfortable to wear and cost-effective too.

Exercise Regularly

We all know that exercise is good for our bodies, but it’s also good for our hearing. Regular aerobic exercise helps increase blood flow to the inner ear, which can help reduce hearing loss. Plus, exercise has been shown to lower stress levels and improve mood, both of which can reduce your risk of hearing loss.

Hearing loss can actually occur even in younger adults who live sedentary lives. That’s because regular exercise promotes healthy circulation, and your ears need a healthy blood supply to function at their best. Additionally, people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing hearing loss, according to the American Journal of Audiology. Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces your risk of hearing loss.

Don’t Smoke and manage stress

Smoking is bad for your overall health, but it can also damage the delicate hairs in your inner ear, hair cells that are vital to helping you hear what’s happening around you. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your ears.

Smoking increases your risk of developing hearing loss by 200%. It also makes you more likely to have problems with your sinuses, which is a major cause of hearing loss in adults over 50.

Smoking causes several different kinds of damage. It is bad for your heart, which means it reduces blood flow to the capillaries in your ears. It also directly damages the cells in your ears that are responsible for sending signals to the brain. This can lead to partial or complete hearing loss.

When you smoke, you’re also putting yourself at risk for early hearing loss because smoking increases your chances of suffering from other conditions that can lead to hearing loss, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. And if you’re around secondhand smoke, you’re also at risk of developing ear infections, which can contribute to hearing loss over time.

Conclusion

We hope that these tips help you prevent early hearing loss.

It is crucial to be aware that hearing loss can have negative effects on your life, and it can happen at any age. If you’re concerned about your hearing health, see a doctor, get a hearing test, and wear ear protection. And don’t forget to invest in good earplugs such as HearSafe and HearGreat earplugs when you go out to loud places.