Many of us are guilty of taking our senses for granted. It’s not until we start to strain to read signs or we have to turn up the volume on the TV that we realize just how important it is to protect our vision and hearing. In this guide, we’ll explore some top tips you can utilize to keep your hearing in check for as long as possible.
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Protecting your ears in noisy environments
Do you ever turn your music up so loud that the vibrations ripple through your body, or do you ride the subway to work every day? Does your job carry risks to your hearing, or are you a fan of going to concerts or attending sports events? Our ears are susceptible to damage caused by exposure to excessive noise. While the odd night out or trip on a train won’t harm you, it is important to shield your ears if you find yourself in noisy environments on a regular basis. Use earplugs or ear defenders, turn the volume down on personal devices, and make sure your employer provides suitable protection.
Seeking Advice
Hearing loss usually occurs gradually, and often, we don’t notice signs of deterioration until they become pronounced. If you do find yourself reaching for the remote control to adjust the volume, you keep having to ask people to repeat themselves or you’re struggling to keep up in meetings or phone conversations, seek advice. Arrange a hearing test. It’s also important to reach out if you experience tinnitus. It’s common to have tinnitus after going to a club, a lively bar, or a gig, but if your tinnitus is getting worse or you’re experiencing symptoms more often, this could be linked to hearing loss. In some cases, there is a treatable underlying cause, such as an infection or a blockage, but in others, it may be necessary to look into long-term treatment options. Hearing aids & tinnitus are often linked, and using hearing aids can help to tackle hearing loss and signs of tinnitus. When you use a hearing aid, it fills the void created by hearing loss, making tinnitus symptoms less noticeable.
Hearing Assessments
Regular hearing assessments and tests are used to pick up early signs of deterioration and problems that could be impacting hearing. It’s always beneficial to keep up to date with routine health checks and to make sure that you attend appointments even if you feel that your hearing is fine. It can take a long time for signs of deterioration to become apparent and early intervention can help to slow down the process and ensure that individuals get the treatment they need at the earliest point. It’s also important to seek help if you have any problems or you notice changes in your hearing between routine assessments.
Many of us don’t pay too much attention to our senses until we start to notice symptoms and signs of sight or hearing loss. It’s not always possible to prevent hearing loss, but taking steps to protect your ears can help to lower risks.