Prevent Hearing Damage: 5 Tips Against Hearing Loss

Prevent hearing damage: five tips against hearing loss

When we think of impaired hearing, we often picture older people first. Age certainly affects how well our ears perform, but there are many more factors at play. Think of loud music, noisy machinery or roaring vehicles, for example. These can damage your hearing at any moment. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your ears properly. On top of that, another important factor comes into play: life itself.

Year after year, your ears are exposed to all kinds of sound impulses. As a result, hearing already starts to decline in most people around the age of thirty. You may even begin to experience some loss of hearing. Here too, though, a few smart measures can help you counteract it. So read on about the topic of hearing damage and discover five golden tips to reduce your risk of hearing loss as much as possible!

What is hearing damage?

We speak of hearing damage when harm has been done to the hearing. This damage can occur in various ways, for example because you have exposed your ears to noise for too long and without protection. With normal, everyday sounds, the hair cells inside your ear allow your hearing to regulate and repair itself. But what happens when too much sound or genuine noise reaches your ear? Then the tiny hair cells can be destroyed.

The damage that has now occurred is, in principle, no longer reversible. Hearing damage is therefore permanent in almost all cases. We understand that this is the last thing you want, so we have a few tips for you. Follow them to reduce the risk of hearing damage as much as possible.

1: Wear hearing protection

One of the best things you can do to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection. This is a good idea in a variety of situations. Do you work in a loud space with machines that make a lot of noise? Then you would do well to wear earmuffs. Do you enjoy going to concerts or other parties where the music is incredibly loud? Then always bring your custom-fit earplugs and don’t forget to put them in. Your ears will thank you! From now on, you won’t be bothered by that annoying ringing in your ears after the party is over, and you’ll also greatly reduce the risk of hearing damage. Hearing protectors come in different versions. The best protection for your hearing is custom-made earplugs. For children, there are special earplugs and earmuffs sized to fit them.

2: Keep your distance

Another way to prevent damage to your hearing is by not standing or sitting too close to the source of the sound. After all, the closer you are to the source, the greater the risk you run. Make sure you are always at least two metres away from the speakers, radio or even your television. That way you prevent too much noise from getting into your ears. Are you at a fun festival or a concert? Then it’s smart not to stay in the same spot for too long. Move around the space so that you are not constantly at the same distance from the sound source. This is much better for your hearing, and it also lets you surround yourself with other people.

3: Let your hearing rest

Have you been listening to a lot of loud music, or have your ears been exposed to noise in some other way? Then it’s wise to give your ears at least 24 hours of rest. So don’t head straight back to a noisy place, and preferably avoid listening to music for a while too. That way your hearing can recover and your ears get some well-deserved rest. And so do you, for that matter. It’s also an ideal way to unwind from all the hustle and bustle. Are you at a multi-day festival? Then take a break now and then in a quieter spot. And here too, don’t forget your earplugs.

4: Avoid sounds louder than 80 dB

To protect your hearing as well as possible, it’s advisable never to expose your ears to sounds above 80 dB. Sounds up to this level are still safe in themselves, provided you are not exposed to this noise level for more than eight hours a day. A hairdryer on its highest setting and the sound of children playing are good examples of sounds up to 80 dB. Does the volume go up just a notch, such as when you switch on a chainsaw? Then you quickly reach the pain threshold of 100 dB.

This sound is noticeably uncomfortable, and many people therefore dislike that kind of noise. It is, in fact, a natural way of protecting yourself against noise and the associated hearing damage. Is your hearing exposed to sounds above 140 dB? Then acute hearing damage can occur. That is certainly something you’d want to avoid!

5: Listen to the signals from your hearing

Your hearing has its own warning system, and it’s important to listen to these signals. Many people experience whistling tones or ringing in the ears after spending time in noisy surroundings. You may also experience temporary hearing loss, headaches or a pressing sensation in your ears. Do your symptoms persist for more than 24 hours? Then contact an ENT doctor as soon as possible. He or she can further investigate your specific symptoms and, based on this, draw up a tailored treatment plan. Definitely don’t wait too long to act. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of permanent damage to your hearing. Whatever you do, don’t go poking around in your ear canal yourself. Not even with a blocked ear. For that, you can turn to your GP.

Different forms of hearing damage

Hearing damage does not manifest itself the same way in everyone. One person may mainly experience a pressing sensation, while another suffers enormously from ringing or whistling ears. Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is usually a permanent condition that can have an enormous impact on someone’s life and mental health. People with tinnitus often develop psychological problems, sleep deprivation and other issues. For that reason alone, it’s important to always protect your ears properly with suitable hearing protection. Once you’ve escaped the crowds and the noise, always take the time to let your ears come to rest as well.