Silencing the Noise: Tips for Hearing Conservation

In a world full of loud and constant noise, protecting your hearing is now more important than ever. Exposure to loud noises can damage the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss. This can lead to learning and communication difficulties, muffled hearing or even tinnitus. People of all ages can develop noise-induced hearing loss, and it can be permanent if you’re not careful. So, let’s take a look at how you can protect your hearing from the loud noises around you.

Reduce Loud Noises

There’s nothing wrong with turning up your favorite song when it comes on the radio every now and then, but prolonged exposure to loud noises can affect your hearing. If you’re the type to have the TV a little loud or listen to music at a high volume for long periods of the day, consider turning things down a little. If you’re in an environment where you can’t turn things down or move away from them, consider wearing hearing protection.

Wear Hearing Protection

Speaking of hearing protection, there are several different types of hearing protection you could try to help reduce noise-induced hearing loss. Not every solution will suit everyone, so try them all to see which suits you best:

• Earplugs: Earplugs are an effective way of reducing noise levels around you by around 15 to 30 decibels. While you can buy disposable earplugs, it’s recommended to visit your audiologist to have custom-made earplugs. These allow you to continue with everyday tasks such as working and talking by reducing loud noises around you and honing in on the things you want to hear.
• Earmuffs: These are an effective solution to those that don’t want to wear anything in their ears. They sit on your head a lot like headphones and reduce sound levels by around 15 to 30 decibels.
• Noise canceling headphones: Noise canceling headphones work by blocking out any sound around you and allowing you to adjust how much sound you can hear around you.

Take Care at Work

If you work in a loud environment, your employer should legally provide you with hearing protection. If you don’t have hearing protection, ask for it. You should also take the time to move to a quieter place at regular intervals to give your ears a rest.

Avoid Loud Situations for Too Long

Sometimes you simply can’t avoid a loud situation. For example, if you’re meeting a few friends at a busy restaurant and people are talking over each other. If this is the case, take breaks frequently to let your ears rest or find a quiet place to talk.

Check Noise Levels of Appliances

Finally, check the decibel levels of your appliances. If your washing machine makes a loud noise when running its spin cycle, consider using hearing protection during that time to help protect your hearing. Where possible, invest in appliances that have low to safe noise ratings. If you want to learn more about which hearing protection will be best suited for you talk with an audiologist.