You might think that as Audiologists, we would be happy for more people to lose their hearing. Our team of Hearing Specialists truly cares about their patients, and that’s why we recommend regular hearing checks. The sooner we pick up a problem, the easier it is to do something about it. We’d also like to offer you some advice on how to keep your hearing healthier for longer.
World Hearing Day
March 3 is World Hearing Day. This is an ideal time to take a good look at your hearing and see if there are ways you can look after it better. Being able to hear is something most of us take for granted. Take a moment to really think about how much your hearing means to you. What are your favorite sounds? How would you feel if you could no longer hear your loved ones tell you they love you, and if you didn’t have the joy of hearing a child’s laughter or the birds singing? When you pause to consider it, the thought of losing your hearing is scary, right? So let’s take a look at ways you can look after your hearing.
Keep the volume down
Exposure to loud noise is one of the biggest causes of sensorineural hearing loss. Around 15% of American adults ages 20-69 have some level of noise-induced hearing loss. That’s a lot of people. Noises louder than 85 dB (decibels) can permanently damage your hearing, and the louder the noise, the less time it takes to cause damage. You can be exposed to sounds of 85 dB for eight hours, but when the sound is up at 110 dB, the maximum exposure time is just one and a half minutes. To put this into perspective, noises above 70 dB are generally considered loud. The average alarm clock is around 80 dB, a power lawnmower is about 100 dBA, and a rock concert is likely to come in around 110 dB. So you might want to think about wearing some ear protection when you know you’re going to be around loud noises in the future.
Protect your head and ears
Loud noise isn’t the only cause of hearing loss. Certain medications can have an effect on your hearing, as can trauma to the head, and even cold weather. Whatever you’re doing, take a moment to think about how it could affect your ears. Wear protective headgear when playing sports or cycling, wear a hat that covers your ears if you’re going somewhere cold, talk to your doctor about possible side effects if you need medication.
Test your hearing
Even if you think your hearing is okay, why not get a hearing test just to make sure? It’s quick and easy and could save your hearing. An audiogram can pick up on a hearing loss at an early stage, and our Audiologists will give your ears a thorough examination. By picking up on potential problems early, we can stop them from getting worse and avoid complications.
Schedule a hearing test today
Here at North Houston Hearing Solutions, we are committed to helping people look after their hearing. Visit us in Houston, Texas, for a warm welcome and superior service. Call Chrystal, our Patient Care Coordinator, at 346-482-4100 to schedule a hearing test.
