Many of us go through our everyday lives without stopping to think about our hearing, which is why National Protect Your Hearing Month is so important. Awareness of the potential dangers of hearing loss is important because it affects a large number of people, and noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable. However, once the damage is done it can never be undone, so use this October as an opportunity to learn how you can take precautions to safeguard your hearing health.
Be aware of volume levels
Many people, especially younger people, don’t think twice about plugging in their headphones and cranking the volume to its highest level. It’s tempting to want to listen to your favorite song as loud as you can, but it can also lead to hearing loss sooner than you think.
Hearing experts recommend keeping the volume of your device lower than 60% of the maximum, and limiting your headphone use to 60 minutes at a time in general. If you feel like you are experiencing hearing loss due to high volumes, seek treatment as soon as you can to prevent further damage.
Move away from loud noises when you can
If you find yourself near an extremely loud noise—whether it’s an air horn or a jet engine—it’s best to try and move away from the source of the sound as quickly as possible. Even if you can’t get completely out of range of the noise, getting some distance from the epicenter can reduce the strain on your ears.
Wear ear protection
Of course, it won’t be possible for every person to avoid proximity completely always to loud noises. Many people are obligated to be in noisy areas for their jobs, especially people who work in factories with loud machinery or in large-capacity stadiums for sporting events or concerts. In such cases, regularly using ear protection such as earmuffs or earplugs is necessary.
National Protect Your Hearing Month is a time to reflect on your hearing protection habits. Schedule an appointment with us today to receive a hearing evaluation and discuss other preventative measures.