World Hearing Day is coming up soon. March 3 marks the day that we raise awareness of hearing loss. Here at Acadian Hearing, we care about your hearing every day though, so right now we’d like to give you some tips on looking after your hearing.
Tip 1: Be aware of noise levels
It is known that prolonged exposure to noises above 85 dB (decibels) can permanently damage your hearing. When you get up to 110 dB, just one and a half minutes is the recommended exposure time without ear protection.
Tip 2: Use the 60:60 rule
Lots of people like to listen to music on their phone or mp3 player, but a quick check of the volume level is a good idea. The 60:60 rule advises using your device at 60% volume, for a maximum of 60 minutes a day.
Tip 3: Invest in good quality headphones
There is an advantage to using over-ear headphones rather than in-ear earphones. Noise-canceling headphones help to block out environmental noises, meaning you don’t need to turn up the volume as high to hear the music.
Tip 4: Be aware when working out
Another time when it’s common to be exposed to loud music is when working out. There are apps and sound monitors available to test the noise level, and a quiet word with your trainer may be a good idea if the decibels are too high.
Tip 5: Take time out
Listen to your own body. If you can hear a rushing or ringing noise in your ears, it’s a sign that you’ve been exposed to too much loud noise and need to take a rest from it. Take some quiet time and give your ears a chance to rest and recover.
Tip 6: Watch out for work noise
There are health and safety rules about noise in the working environment. Make sure your employer complies and provides hearing protection if necessary.
Tip 7: Protect your head
Your ears are delicate things, and a knock to the head can easily cause damage to them. If you play contact sports or enjoy cycling, make sure you wear protective headgear.
Tip 8: Make good lifestyle choices
Believe it or not, smoking has been linked to hearing problems, as well as, of course, a whole host of other health problems. Stress, anxiety, and certain medications can also affect hearing, so look after your health.
Tip 9: Wear a hat
We may not see cold enough temperatures here in Louisiana to affect your ears, but if you’re visiting family or going on a vacation to a cold place, make sure you wear a hat that covers your ears to protect your hearing.
Tip 10: Wear protection
If you know you’re going to be in a noisy environment, wear ear protection. If you are exposed to loud noise on a regular basis, it may be worth getting custom ear protection. Our Audiologists can help you with that.
Final tip: Have a hearing test
If you are at all concerned about your hearing, come to us at Acadian Hearing. We have hearing centers in Lake Charles and Sulphur, Louisiana. Book a hearing test with our Audiologists and make sure your hearing is in good shape.