You’d be surprised at how easy it is to lose your hearing. Most people tend to take their ears for granted since they’ve lived their whole lives being able to hear—but nothing lasts forever, especially if you aren’t taking care of what you have! Although your hearing isn’t necessary to live, it can have a significant impact on your daily life if you’ve lived the rest of your life being able to hear and used it daily.
Ears aren’t like teeth that can be replaced—once you lose your hearing, it’s almost impossible to get back, which is why you need to invest in proper ear care. Clean, healthy ears not only prevent hearing loss but can also improve your hearing as well.
Follow our ear care guide below to improve your hearing health:
1. Tone Down the Noise
Your ears aren’t as invincible as you think. Although they are used for hearing, they have a limit to how much they can take! Going to concerts and listening to music isn’t all fun and games—you can have noise-induced hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud environments.
Unsafe use of audio devices can significantly affect your hearing as well. Avoid listening to music too loudly on your earphones or personal music devices; just keep it at a low and acceptable volume. In fact, the World Health Organization suggests that you should limit the use of headphones to one hour a day.
2. Use Earplugs
If you are constantly exposed to loud noise, consider using hearing protectors like earplugs, over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones, or other hearing protection devices. It’s best to avoid social events with music at a volume that forces people to shout to have a conversation.
Earplugs aren’t only limited to noisy places. Some doctors even recommend using earplugs when you’re swimming in untreated water such as lakes and oceans. This will help prevent bacteria and other unknown materials from entering the ears.
3. Rest Your Ears
If you’ve been exposed to loud noises for a prolonged period, give your ears some time to rest; step out every five minutes or so. Ear experts recommend giving your ears 16 hours of rest so they can fully recover. Rest your ears as much as you can!
4. Clean Your Ears Properly
Contrary to popular belief, a wax-free ear doesn’t mean it is clean! The wax in your ears has a purpose—it is intended to prevent dust and other harmful substances from entering your ear and causing infections and complications.
Don’t clean the wax out of your ear canal with cotton swabs, as they can damage your eardrum or other sensitive organs. To clean your ear, simply clean the outer portion of your ears with water and mild soap. Use a washcloth to remove the excess wax and the back of your ears.
5. Get Regular Checkups
Hearing loss and complications usually happen to older people, but they can affect anyone of any age. It’s essential to regularly visit a hearing consultant whenever you feel like there’s something wrong with your ear. These professionals will evaluate your hearing problem and choose the best way to deal with it.
Even if you don’t think you have any issues with hearing, you should still get a free hearing test from a reputable facility near you.
Conclusion
Give your ears some much-needed TLC! Don’t wait until it’s too late—take care of your ears today. Remember to schedule an appointment with a hearing consultant regularly and follow our ear care guide above so that you can live a long life with excellent hearing.
Leave it to the best hearing specialists in the Lexington and Greater Boston area to address your ear concerns! When it comes to caring for your hearing, you will want the best of the best, and that’s exactly what you get—our team of specialists are highly qualified, are masters of their craft, and have over 30 years of combined experience. Get your free hearing test today!