While hearing loss is sometimes a natural and inevitable part of the aging process, there are steps you can take to preserve your hearing as long as possible. Exposure to loud noises and other harmful habits will diminish your hearing over time. This simple guide will provide some tips to protect your ears for years to come.

How to Protect Your Hearing

1. Use Ear Protection

If you work in a loud environment, use power tools, or are exposed to loud noises daily, always wear hearing protection. Musicians and concertgoers should also wear protective ear plugs. Hearing protection is also important to use when operating equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, and chainsaws.  When working at a construction site, make sure you use hearing protection which may be in the form of earplugs or earmuffs. It is important to have comfortable and good fitting protection. If possible, talk to your manager about investing in quieter equipment or using noise barriers. 

2. Lower the Volume

If you habitually listen to music at max volume, you could be putting yourself at risk for hearing loss. When listening to music in your car or watching videos on your personal device, keep the volume at the lowest audible level possible. Resist the temptation to turn it up when you come to a catchy course. If you are cranking up the volume to drown out ambient noise, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones.

3. Let Your Ears Rest

Try to have some quiet time when you get home, especially if you work in a noisy environment. This will give your ears time to recover from the loud noise. Anyone who listens to music through headphones should frequently take breaks to enjoy the silence. 

4. Leave Your Earwax Alone 

Earwax may be unpleasant, but there is evidence to suggest that it has antibiotic properties that guard against fungal or bacterial infections.  Never insert objects into your ear canal. Cotton swabs will only pack earwax deeper into your ear canal or puncture your delicate eardrum. Avoid home remedies like ear candles, which are useless and can cause serious harm to your inner ear. If you suspect you have excessive buildup, contact an ear doctor for a safe, professional evaluation and cleaning. 

While following these tips will help protect your ears, they’re no substitute for professional care. For all your audiology needs, see the professionals at Augusta Audiology Associates, PC. Located in Fishersville, VA, this clinic has provided comprehensive hearing care for 24 years. Whether you’re in need of a hearing evaluation or are looking to be fitted for a hearing device, this team will personalize your care in their comfortable office environment. They’ll help you understand hearing loss and how you can protect your health. To view a full list of services, visit them online. Schedule an appointment by calling (540) 332-5790.