
Ways to Protect Your Hearing and Enjoy Life More
There are many things that you take into consideration when you try to maintain your health. For your body to be healthy, you may have an exercise and nutrition regimen. In order to maintain eye health, you visit an optometrist. For your teeth to be healthy, you visit your dentist.
Unfortunately, you may ignore your ears. Most people take their hearing for granted until a problem comes up, but the ears are some of the most fragile parts of the body. Ears can be easily damaged, but they can also be easily taken care of. When hearing loss is caused by noise, it can be prevented if you act wisely. Discover ways to protect your hearing and enjoy life more.
Tips to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Often people turn up the volume and this can be a detrimental decision. Consider these tips to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Keep your earbuds or headphones at an acceptable level
A common mistake to make is having your personal music player set at a dangerous level. You may not think it’s too loud, but levels of 85 decibels or higher over eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes are considered unsafe. To put it in perspective, 85 decibels is the level of city traffic that you hear while inside your car! If the music is uncomfortable or someone next to you is able to hear your music, it’s too loud. Do everyone a favor and turn it down. A 60:60 rule is an easy thing to remember. Keep your listening to 60 minutes a day at 60 percent volume.
It’s easy to have these volume levels too loud as well. You should be able to converse with someone about six to seven feet away while these devices are active. You should be especially careful if you have young children in the room as well. Their ears are more delicate than yours, and you don’t want to start them off toward a bad path of hearing loss. Make sure the TV or car radio isn’t too loud for them.
Use hearing protection when at a concert or bar with live music
Even if you’re not next to the speakers, music at concert events can cause hearing damage. It’s loud enough in the whole building. You’ll still be able to hear it, and you’ll still be able to hear afterward.
Use hearing protection at work
If you work in a noisy environment, talk to your employer about hearing protection. Not only will you save your own hearing, but you’ll save your coworkers’ hearing as well
Use hearing protection when working around the house and yard
If you’re using drills, lawnmowers, electric saws or push mowers, use hearing protection. These noises are loud and have the potential to hurt your ears.
Do not insert objects into either your own ears or the ears of children
Doing this, even though your intention may be good, can cause damage. Even cotton swabs that seem safe can cause damage by pushing the wax further into the ear canal and actually end up blocking it.
How to Handle Minor Hearing Loss
If you already have some hearing loss, there are options and products to make your life easier. You can invest in a hearing amplifier so you can enjoy being able to hear people and other noises again. Consider the benefits of using an OTC hearing aid.
Better communication
One of the largest benefits of using a hearing aid is that you can communicate better with those around you, and you will be able to better understand others. This is invaluable both at work and at home. You will make sure to catch all the details of an important meeting at work as well as hear the voices of your grandchildren.
Hearing low sounds
You may have trouble hearing low sounds. An over the counter hearing aid can help you to be able to hear a full range of noises.
Road safety
Whether you’re driving or simply taking a walk, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. You will be able to pick up more noises and keep yourself safe when you’re out in the world.
Enjoying the world around you
By being able to hear better, you will be able to also enjoy the sounds of nature on that walk that you’re taking. This can be incredibly relaxing and add much joy to your walk. It can also help you enjoy your favorite movies and songs even more by being able to hear the details.
It’s up to you to protect your hearing. Only through the smart decisions you make will you be able to enjoy a full range of sounds for the years to come. Fortunately, an OTC hearing aid is a discreet way to get help if you do experience some hearing loss.
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