Having healthy ears is important for good hearing and understanding speech. Whether you have hearing loss or not, taking care of your hearing is just as important as keeping a healthy weight or caring for your skin. Here are some simple tips to help you improve your hearing:
Listen to Music at a Safe Volume
Keep the Volume Low
Listening to music at a loud volume can hurt your ears. To keep your hearing healthy, try to keep the sound as low as possible. If you often use earphones or headsets, make sure the volume is set at a safe level. Audiologists suggest keeping sound levels between 60 and 85 decibels to protect your ears.
Why Volume Matters
Listening to loud music for too long can damage your hearing over time. The World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend keeping noise levels below 70 decibels (dBA) within 24 hours to avoid noise-induced hearing damage.
Use Hearing Protection
Protect Your Ears from Loud Noises
Some sounds are so loud that they can hurt your ears, causing problems like ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and trouble understanding people. If you can’t avoid loud noises, the best way to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection.
How Hearing Protection Helps
Many jobs expose workers to loud noises, but most people can protect their hearing by reducing noise levels by just 10 decibels. When used correctly, most hearing protection devices can lower noise by 10 decibels. If you need clarification on the right protection, it’s a good idea to talk to an audiologist.
Keep Ear Wax Under Control
Why Earwax Matters
Ear wax is natural, but too much of it can block your ears and affect your hearing. If your ears are full of wax, you might not hear as well. But don’t worry; ear wax buildup is common and easy to fix.
Safe Ear Wax Removal
It’s important not to use cotton swabs or other sharp objects to remove ear wax yourself. You could accidentally hurt your ears and cause more problems. The best ear wax removal is by an audiologist who can remove it safely.
Keep Your Ears Clean and Dry
Prevent Ear Infections
Wet or waxy ears can lead to ear infections, which might cause hearing loss. After swimming or bathing, be sure to dry your ears well to keep water from getting trapped inside.
Why Dry Ears Are Important
If you don’t keep your ears dry, you could end up with an infection like a swimmer’s ear or surfer’s ear. These infections can be painful and might affect your hearing if not treated.
Get Regular Hearing Tests
Why Hearing Tests Matter
Regular hearing tests are important because they can catch early signs of hearing loss. If you get your hearing tested regularly, your audiologist can spot any changes and help you take action early.
Don’t Wait for Problems
Hearing loss can get worse over time if not treated. That’s why it’s important to get regular check-ups. Alabama Hearing Associates offers hearing tests and other services to help you stay in control of your hearing health.
Hearing Aids in Huntsville and Madison, AL
How Hearing Aids Can Help
Some people can improve their hearing by using devices like hearing aids. The good news is that today’s hearing aids are small and stylish so they won’t affect your appearance.
Get Professional Help
If you have questions about your hearing or think you need a hearing aid, the audiologists at Alabama Hearing Associates are here to help. They can give you expert advice and find the best solution for your needs.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Alabama Hearing Associates has two convenient locations in Huntsville and Madison. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward better hearing.
