As with the rest of your body, taking care of your hearing is vital at every stage of life. Although certain factors that contribute to hearing loss, such as age, are unavoidable, you can take steps to control your risks. Discover what you should do and—just as important—shouldn’t do to protect your hearing by following the advice in this guide.

Do:

Try to avoid loud noises.

Loud noises may damage the nerves in the inner ear as well as the ear’s hair cells, which help the brain detect sound. After a particularly loud concert, for example, your hearing may diminish temporarily. Repeated exposure to loud noises, however, may lead to permanent hearing damage. Sounds with the intensity of a motorcycle—over 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA)—may cause hearing loss. Try, therefore, to avoid exposure to loud noises. One good place to start is by reducing the volume of your headphones and car radio.

Wear protection.

Whether you’re mowing the lawn, attending a concert, or working at a noisy construction site, use earplugs or ear muffs to protect your hearing. Earplugs will suppress the intensity of sound, but you’ll still be able to hear. At a gun range, where the sound of gunfire is extreme, combine earplugs and ear muffs for maximum protection.

Don’t:

Smoke.

Smokers are almost 70% more likely than nonsmokers to experience hearing loss. The heaviest smokers appear to be at the greatest risk for hearing loss, and their risk increases with the number of cigarettes they regularly smoke. If you smoke, establish a personalized plan to quit.

Wait to have your hearing tested.

If you suspect you have hearing damage, don’t wait to get tested. See an audiologist as soon as possible. The sooner an issue is detected, the earlier it can be addressed. There are many discreet solutions that help restore hearing loss with little or no impact on quality of life.

If you think you have a hearing issue, turn to Russellville Hearing Clinic in Pope County, AR. Led by Dr. Charlie Palmer, who has more than 20 years of clinical experience, their dedicated team offers personalized treatment for a broad range of hearing conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. Browse through their advanced hearing aids and accessories online, or call (479) 968-7250 to set up an appointment.