Month: May 2024

In our noisy world, preserving hearing health is more important than ever. From exposure to loud music, machinery, and everyday environmental noise, proactive measures to protect our hearing can significantly impact our overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore eight easy and effective ways to safeguard your hearing and prevent hearing loss.

Easy Ways to Safeguard Your Hearing

1.     Protect Your Hearing for a Lifetime of Rich Sounds

Cranking up the volume on your headphones or blasting the TV might seem harmless, but it can lead to permanent hearing damage. Here’s how to safeguard your precious sense of sound:

• Turn Down the Volume: Enjoy your music and shows, but keep the volume comfortable. A good rule of thumb is to be able to hold a conversation without raising your voice.
• Embrace Over-the-Ear Headphones: Choose over-the-ear headphones over earbuds. They create a barrier between your eardrum and sound, allowing for lower volumes without sacrificing audio quality.
• Give Your Ears a Break:  Take frequent breaks from listening to loud music, especially when using headphones extensively.

2.     Be Mindful of Medication Side Effects

Certain medications can lead to hearing loss, a condition known as ototoxicity. This can occur with prolonged use or high doses of specific drugs. Although factors like age and dehydration contribute, knowing about ototoxic medications can protect your hearing. Here’s how to prevent hearing loss:

• Talk to Your Doctor: If you’re taking any of these medications, discuss the potential risk of ototoxicity with your doctor.
• Explore Alternatives: Inquire about alternative medications or treatment plans to minimise hearing loss risk.
• Responsible Medication Use: Always follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and duration of medication use.
• Monitor Your Hearing: Be aware of any changes in your hearing and consult a doctor if you experience any concerns.

3.     Move Your Body, Boost Your Hearing

Regular exercise isn’t just good for your heart and body; it can also benefit your hearing! Physical activity promotes healthy blood flow, ensuring your ears receive essential oxygen and nutrients. Here’s how to get moving and safeguard your hearing:

• Find Your Fitness Fun: The key to sticking with an exercise routine is enjoying it! Explore activities you love, whether dancing to your favourite tunes, taking brisk walks around the neighbourhood, or joining a team sport.
• Incorporate Everyday Movement: Sneak in exercise throughout your day! Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park away, walk, or do some stretches or bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks.
• Protect Your Ears While You Sweat: Do you enjoy activities like swimming or biking? Don’t forget ear protection! Invest in waterproof earplugs or a properly fitted helmet to prevent water damage or wind noise that could harm your hearing.

4.     Skip Cotton Swabs for Ear Care

As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), cotton swabs have the potential to push earwax further into the ear canal, posing a risk of damaging the eardrum and heightening the likelihood of hearing issues.

Consulting with your ear specialist is crucial for safe earwax removal methods that won’t harm your hearing. They might suggest using a gentle, moist tool to clean your ear canal or an approved solution to soften the wax, facilitating its natural removal.

5.     Know Your Limits: Don’t Push Your Ears Too Far

There’s a safe exposure time for any noise level. Even sounds below the 85-decibel danger zone (think heavy traffic or a hair dryer) can be damaging if experienced for extended periods.

Here’s a helpful tip:

The 80/90 rule suggests limiting exposure to sounds to 80 decibels for 8 hours or 90 decibels for 4 hours. However, it’s always best to listen to your body. If you experience any discomfort or ringing in your ears, take a break and seek a quieter environment.

6.     Keep Water Out, and Keep Ears Healthy!

Water in your ears after swimming or bathing can be a drag. Not only is it uncomfortable, but trapped water can harbour bacteria and lead to infection. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this watery woe.

Simple tricks for dry ears:

• Tilt and Drain: After getting out of the water, simply tilt your head to the side with the affected ear facing down. This natural drainage position helps water flow out.
• Towel Time: Gently dry the outside of your ear with a soft towel. Avoid shoving anything in your ear canal, as this can irritate it.

For frequent swimmers:

• Earplug Power: Invest in earplugs designed for swimming. These create a barrier to keep water out.
• Custom Comfort: Consult an ear, nose, and throat doctor (an otolaryngologist) for custom-molded earplugs. These provide a perfect fit for maximum comfort and protection.

7.     Your Pocket-Sized Hearing Heroes

Don’t underestimate the humble earplug. These little wonders provide a simple, effective way to block out loud noises. They come in various materials (foam, silicone, flanged) and offer different Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right ones:

• High NRR (25-33): This is ideal for loud environments like concerts, power tools, or shooting ranges.
• Medium NRR (17-24): This is suitable for moderate noise levels, such as factories, traffic, or sporting events.
• Low NRR (12-16): Good for studying in noisy environments, light noise reduction, or blocking conversation sounds.

1.     Distance Yourself from the Noise Source: Every Inch Counts!

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. When exposed to loud noises, increasing the distance between yourself and the source can significantly reduce the sound intensity reaching your ears. Here are some examples:

1. Concerts: Move back from the stage and avoid standing near the speakers.
2. Power Tools: Stand away from the mower, saw, or other noisy equipment.
3. Home Appliances: When using a blender or vacuum cleaner, step into another room briefly.

Achieving Better Hearing

Here is how to improve hearing naturally. These seven steps can be done without the need for medical intervention:

1. The most important step is to reduce noise exposure. Avoid loud noises, especially for long periods. Use earplugs or earmuffs when exposed to loud sounds like concerts, power tools, or lawn mowing.
2. Too much earwax can block sound but don’t use cotton swabs. They can push wax deeper. Instead, gently clean your outer ear with warm water and a washcloth.
3. Chronic stress can make hearing problems worse. Manage your anxiety by trying relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing.
4. Improve your diet by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A nutrient-filled diet supports overall health, including your ears’ health.
5. Regular exercise boosts blood circulation, benefitting the delicate inner ear structures vital for hearing by providing essential nourishment.
6. Smoking damages the tiny hair cells within your inner ear, leading to declining hearing abilities. By quitting smoking, you not only improve your overall health but also have the potential to slow down the progression of hearing loss.
7. Don’t use cotton swabs to dry your ears after swimming or showering. Tilt your head to let the water drain naturally. You can also use a soft towel to pat your outer ear gently.

About Ear Wax Removal Clinics UK

At Ear Wax Removal Clinics UK, we specialise in safe and professional ear wax removal. Administered by our highly trained Audiologists, we offer microsuction ear wax removal in London and the UK to address your blocked ear concerns. Don’t let excessive earwax affect your hearing – book your appointment now and experience the difference.

Protect Your Hearing Today: Closing Notes

There are simple strategies you can use daily to protect your hearing. By doing so, you can continue enjoying the rich sounds surrounding us. From birds chirping to the laughter of loved ones, the world is filled with beautiful sounds waiting to be enjoyed. Protect your precious hearing, and keep the symphony of life playing loud and clear!