7 Habits That Are Damaging to Hearing Health

You may be an active person and like to attend concerts or be social by going to sporting events. However, you may not realize that these types of activities may be harmful to your hearing health.

The good news is that you can minimize experiencing hearing loss by changing poor habits. Implement behaviors and routines that don’t harm your hearing and you’ll be healthier and happier for it. Dive deeper into these seven habits that are damaging to your hearing health so you can avoid these and work on hearing your best for the future.

Too Much Stress & Lack of Exercise

Two aspects that can be damaging to hearing health are too much stress and lack of exercise. Did you realize that regular exercise such as cycling, running and walking can also boost hearing health? It’s because these activities increase blood flow to your ears. The inner parts of your ears will stay healthy and work optimally. Repeated and a lot of stress has been known to lead to tinnitus and ringing in your ears as well.

Skipping an Annual Hearing Check

You also should keep regular hearing health checkups and appointments with an audiologist to ensure your hearing health is in good shape. If you skip your annual hearing check you may not catch hearing loss early enough and experience more issues down the road. If you experience hearing loss you’ll want to take immediate action. You can have your routine hearing assessment done at your appointment as well as bring up any concerns.

Using Cotton Swabs

Another habit that may be damaging to hearing health is using cotton swabs. You may tend to grab these regularly to clear out any earwax after your shower. However, accidents can happen when using cotton swabs. You want to avoid any concerning outcomes such as perforating your eardrums. You can always bring up any earwax concerns with your audiologist.

Choosing not to Wear Hearing Protection

When you choose not to wear hearing protection then you’re also putting yourself at risk for negative health consequences and possible hearing loss. You should do so both during leisure activities and events as well as at your job. All sorts of noises may damage your hearing such as the lawnmower, music at concerts and loud machinery.

Always opt to wear hearing protection if you’re ever unsure and want to protect yourself. Earplugs are a great option and are very easy to obtain. Visit an audiologist right away if you ever have hearing loss after an incident involving loud noises.

Turning up Your Music

You may be damaging your hearing health if you always listen to loud music. Audio devices are fun and enjoyable but you must be careful when using them. Several consequences may arise if you continue to listen to your music at a high volume. If you can, always choose headphones instead of earbuds that don’t sit as close to your eardrum. Prevent hearing damage from excessive noise exposure by listening to music with headphones at 60% or less volume level for 60 minutes or less a day.

No Recovery Time for Your Ears

It’s also good to get into the habit of giving your ears time to recover from music and loud noises and environments. It’s especially important if the job and workplace you go to each day are loud and noisy. Go to a quiet place or space and let your ears rest for some time. You need ample time to recover, even if it’s only one loud night out.

Not Keeping Your Ears Dry

There’s an air-filled cavity in the middle part of your ear where the eardrum exists. Too much moisture can cause an imbalance in the ear system and bacteria might seep through. Therefore, you could end up with an ear infection. This isn’t good for your hearing health and also not safe for you. Get in the habit of gently drying your ears after swimming and taking a shower.

A good place to start to maintain and improve hearing health is to avoid these seven habits. Take good care of yourself so you can hear well and be at your best. In the meantime, you should plan to schedule a hearing check and assessment with an audiologist such as with the professionals at Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service.

We specialize in hearing assessment, hearing rehabilitation, tinnitus management and hearing aids. Contact us to learn more about Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service at (920) 267-5220.