9 Amazing Everyday Tips for Your Ear Health!

Much like your eyes and teeth, any form of hearing loss can become permanent and irreversible very rapidly. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. While our body can heal physical wounds, some functions can’t be restored. That’s why it’s extremely important to take a proactive approach to protecting your hearing.

Here’s 9 tips you can really use for your everyday life!

Tip 1. Identify loud noises in your workplace.

According to studies, on average, roughly 15% of the population are exposed to loud work environments, and of those, the majority do not take precautions to protect themselves against noise pollution.

While it’s obvious for anyone who works in a club, construction, or factory to come prepared with earplugs, did you know that even places like an elementary school can also cause hearing damage? If your office is located next to a consistent source of loud noise, such as a bell, you may be at risk for hearing loss. The best practice is to identify areas in your workplace that can produce loud noises, and take steps to mitigate the effects.

Tip 2. Lower your volume, or better yet, get some noise-cancelling headphones!

One of the most common reasons why someone turns up the volume is because they’re not hearing their music clearly enough. Some people use music to drown out background noise as they work, and this is especially true in an open office environment. In cases like these, the best practice is to purchase some noise cancelling headphones to lower ambient sounds, so that you wouldn’t need to crank up the volume.

According to the WHO, 1.1 billion people worldwide are at risk for noise related hearing loss from unsafe levels of sound. While they may not happen overnight, this is something that will eventually manifest itself if caution is not taken.

Noise Cancelling headphones not only protect your ears from external sounds, but also helps protect your hearing because you won’t need to turn your volume all the way up!

Tip 3. Your ears need to rest, just like your eyes.

The best thing to do after having an earful day is to allow your hearing to rest. Low frequency sounds like rain or waterfall are the most soothing to the human ear. Did you know that the sound of water boiling is actually the most comfortable sound? The sound wave that boiling water generates is the closest match to what humans find pleasant in our hearing zone. If you can’t calm down in total silence, consider playing sounds of water in your down time.

Tip 4. Stop using cotton swabs.

This is a common malpractice that goes unaddressed. Using cotton swabs not only puts you at risk for physically damaging your eardrums, but may also leave tiny particles behind when you insert them in your ear canal, causing your ears to become irritated as it sticks to your skin. While cotton is the most popular hypoallergenic material in the world, tiny specs of it can still irritate your ears by absorbing excess secretions and lingering in your ears. Not to mention attracting bacterial growth. Ick!

Stop using Cotton Swabs! They’re not meant for your ears!

Tip 5. Speak to your doctor about any medications you may take.

Some medication, even over the counter painkillers, can contribute to hearing damage. We all have a unique physiology, and it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before taking something that may not be right for you. If you notice a sudden change or loss of hearing, the best thing to do is to see your family doctor immediately, and make an appointment with a hearing specialist to undergo a hearing evaluation. The sooner you do this, the better your chances are of preventing permanent hearing loss!

Tip 6. Keep water out of your ears!

Dry your ears thoroughly after a shower or a swim! Moisture breeds bacteria and can cause severe ear infections! You should always gently pat your ears dry with a soft towel, and if you feel water in your ear canal, tip your head to the side and patiently wait for it to naturally drip out. Never use a cotton swab!

Keeping your ears dry and clean is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing an ear infection!

Tip 7. Destress.

Many studies conclude that stress is one of the many factors that lead to tinnitus or even temporary loss of hearing! When you experience stress, your body produces stress hormones that change the way your body works in many ways. This is still an area that health professionals are researching into, and there is no exhaustive list of side effects. What we do know is that stress is bad. It can make you feel tired, increase your blood pressure and risk of depression, and even affect your hearing! If you lead a high stress life, one of the best things you can do for your ears is to find a way to destress that works for you.

Tip 8. Exercise helps. Always.

In addition to its obvious benefits, exercise will help pump blood to your ears! This helps with your circulation, which includes your hearing health!

Tip 9. A check up is always recommended. At any age.

If you’ve never had your ears checked, perhaps now is the time to make an appointment! Hearing loss is rarely a thing that happens overnight, so it is imperative that you have your ears checked regularly to ensure you maintain the same quality of hearing and living that you have been accustomed to!

Having a Hearing Specialist check your ears is the Number One recommended way to keep your ears healthy! Preventative measures will always be the best practice when it comes to hearing loss prevention!

Click Here to make an appointment with our specialists!

Evear Hearing Clinic is the one of the leading hearing instrument clinics in Mississauga and Brampton area. We provide services like Ear Wax Removal, Hearing Aid Selection and Fitting and Tinnitus Management.