According to the World Health Organization, over one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. And by 2050, nearly one in every ten people will have disabling hearing loss. Do you notice the world sounds more muffled after attending a concert or party? This is a sign you are damaging your hearing. Hearing loss can result from both instantaneous and long-term exposure to loud sounds. Your lifestyle choices can heavily influence your ability to hear as you grow older. Start taking control of your life and protect your hearing before it is too late.
Avoid Q-tips
Do not use cotton swabs to clean your ears! This method can have a counterproductive effect by pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal and clogging the ears. When penetrated too deep, the Q-tip can actually perforate the eardrum and lead to hearing loss. Traumatic tympanic membrane damage is a common reason for emergency department visits. Children especially need to be warned against using cotton-tip applicators. Cotton swabs should be saved for arts and crafts, makeup applicators, and cleaning. The best care for your ears is sometimes no care at all!
Ears are self-cleaning thanks to earwax which helps prevent infections and foreign objects from entering the ear. If you have particularly solid or abundant ear wax, use an over-the-counter product such as Debrox or create a homemade cleaning solution with 1:1 equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide. Apply a few drops when lying down to allow the solution to work its way down the ear canal and dissolve the ear wax. Once the bubbling has subsided, you can repeat the step again on the other ear. Do not use this method more than once weekly or your earwax may become too moist and impact your ear. If you still find discomfort with your ears, make an appointment at a local ear spa for a professional ear cleaning.
Avoid over usage of ototoxic medications and exposure to ototoxic chemicals
Ototoxic medications and ototoxic chemicals often cause temporary hearing problems when exceeding the recommended dosages or exposure. But, there are some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen that may cause permanent hearing loss if prolonged high dosage occurs. In one study, women who took either NSAIDs (excluding aspirin) or acetaminophen regularly for more than six years had significantly higher rates of hearing loss compared to those who took the medications for less than one year. It is important to be mindful of these medications and speak with your doctor for alternatives if needed. For work-related exposure to ototoxicants, it is imperative to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment to protect your hearing.
Avoid smoking
In addition to the many other negative health consequences of smoking, smoking has been associated with a higher risk of hearing loss. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes damage the vasculature which supplies the auditory system, reducing the blood supply to the ears and damaging the inner hair cells. Fortunately, the risk of hearing loss may diminish over time after quitting. The sooner you quit, the longer you can keep your hearing!
Minimize the volume of headphones
According to a 2021 study, using earphones for 80 minutes or longer in a noisy environment contributed to hearing loss. The loud sounds damage sensory hair cells in the inner ear, which serve to send auditory signals to the brain.
Lower your volume when listening with headphones to prevent music-induced hearing loss.
Noise-canceling headphones are a good option for listening to audio in a busy environment, such as at a cafe or on an airplane. Remember to be aware of your surroundings and utilize the transparency mode when commuting to avoid accidents.
Use hearing protection
Noise-canceling headphones can help prevent playing audio too loudly but cannot replace hearing protection when preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing protection comes with a noise reduction rating (NRR), which is tested by accredited laboratories and mitigates a certain level of noise exposure. Higher NRR values indicate higher levels of noise protection. Here are more differences between noise-canceling headphones and hearing protection.
According to the CDC, noise above 70 decibels starts to damage your hearing, and loud noises above 120 decibels can cause immediate harm to your ears. Preventing noise-induced hearing loss starts by wearing hearing protection when involved in a loud activity, such as at construction sites, movie theaters, sporting events, and concerts.
High-fidelity earplugs reduce noise levels without compromising audio quality, which makes them perfect for concertgoers, musicians, and those who need to be aware of their surroundings. Options range from budget-friendly to higher-quality options to custom-fitted ear protection from an audiologist. Whichever you choose, remember to select the appropriate sizing for your ears for the best protection.
Children are more susceptible to loud noises due to their narrower ear canals, amplifying the sounds. Children who attend events such as Chinese New Year’s or monster truck shows need to wear headphones as well. The loud sounds from nearby fireworks, firecrackers and truck engines exceed safe decibel levels for their ears.
Doubling up on hearing protection by wearing both earplugs and headphones provides the strongest defense against noise-induced hearing loss and can be a good option for those especially sensitive to loud noises.
For more ways to protect your hearing, check out our previous article on methods to promote ear health.
