Our Hearing Blog

Five Steps to Help You Enhance Your Hearing

Hearing loss is invisible and nearly always painless. It can also develop slowly over time. Changes in hearing begin at the age of 20, with a significant decline in hearing ability occurring as early as 40 years of age.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hearing loss is associated with increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, falling, and the development of dementia. The longer you wait, the more you are depriving the brain of proper auditory stimulation, often referred to as auditory deprivation. So, what can one do to reduce or slow the decline. It starts with taking some proactive steps to protect your ears and maintain their health.

Here are five steps to help you enhance your hearing:

1. Protect your ears from loud noises: Exposure to loud sounds can cause hearing damage over time. Always wear ear protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when you are in noisy environments like concerts, construction sites, or when using loud equipment.

2. Maintain good ear hygiene: Keep your ears clean by gently washing the outer ear with a washcloth. Avoid inserting anything into your ear canal, such as cotton swabs, as this can push earwax deeper and potentially cause damage.

3. Get regular check-ups: Schedule routine visits with an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to monitor your hearing health. They can identify any issues early on and provide appropriate interventions.

4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Certain lifestyle factors can impact your hearing health. Avoid smoking, as it can harm blood flow to the ears, and limit your alcohol consumption, as excessive drinking can lead to hearing loss. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can also contribute to overall well-being, including ear health.

5. Practice safe listening habits: When using headphones or earbuds, keep the volume at a safe level. A general rule of thumb is to use the 60/60 rule — listen at 60% volume for a maximum of 60 minutes at a time. Additionally, take breaks to give your ears a rest and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

Remember that hearing loss can happen gradually over time, so it's essential to be proactive in protecting your hearing from an early age. If you notice any changes in your hearing, such as difficulty understanding conversations or ringing in your ears (tinnitus), seek professional advice promptly. Early intervention can help manage hearing issues effectively.

It's time to make your life easier and more enjoyable by hearing Better! At Mid-America Hearing Center, we will do our best to provide accurate hearing evaluations and assist you in every way in selecting the hearing instrument that works best for you. Call for an appointment and schedule a Free Hearing test today.