Pretty much all teens and young adults have heard this one before: “turn down that music before you go deaf!” And it can be really frustrating when it doesn’t seem to make a difference. But the reality is that hearing loss can actually be caused by too much noise — like when you have your music up too loud on the speakers or in your earbuds.
As any ear specialist will tell you, it’s highly recommended to prevent noise-induced hearing loss as much as possible and as early as possible. Part of that is going to an ENT clinic when you observe changes in your hearing. Many people are surprised to find that they actually already have a mild case of hearing loss, but it often will get more pronounced as time goes on. So, other than seeing an ear specialist, here are some tips that you can do to help protect yourself from hearing loss as a result of noise.
Top tips to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss
1. Avoid being around lots of noise
Sure, that doesn’t seem logical, but the goal here is to limit how much noise you are around. When you are in crowds or loud city environments, try to take breaks at least once an hour, for 5-10 minutes. If you can, keep a good distance from a crowd of loud people instead of being immersed in it.
2. Don’t blast your music in your headphones
This one is hard, but it’s important. There are apps that will limit how loud your music and other apps can go, for example, below the 60 dB limit. After a while, you won’t even be able to notice that it’s lower. It’s recommended to start your music out at 40 dB and then gently ease it up to 60 dB if you need it.
3. Wear earplugs at loud events
If you’re at a concert, wear earplugs. You can get some good, reusable ones that allow you to block out the noise but still hear it clearly (musicians do this all the time), so you’ll still hear the events easily. It can make a notable difference to your quality of health for your ears specifically, so it’s important to consider if you should spend a lot of time at loud events.
4. Know the signs
Another way is to get in touch with an ear specialist and get some information on signs of hearing loss. These could include:
- Ringing or roaring your ears: We’ve all had this before, but if you notice that it’s occurring a lot, especially when you are in crowded spots, you may want to consider wearing earplugs. It’s your body’s way of telling you that the sound is too loud for your ears.
- Your ears are sore or you feel more aware of them: If your ears physically feel sore, or you are simply very aware of your ears, it’s also a sign that you are dealing with too much noise on a regular basis.
- You can’t hear things as well as you used to: If you notice that you have to get people to repeat things regularly, it’s a sign that your hearing is slightly damaged and you are struggling with the low decibel noises.
5. Get regular ear tests
To make sure you’re doing okay, consult an ear specialist in Melaka, Shah Alam, Penang, Johor Bahru or other states that you live in on a regular basis and get your hearing tested. It’ll be helpful to catch any loss as soon as it starts.
While it’s annoying to not be able to hear your music a bit louder, it sure is better than having to deal with isolation or even depression as a result of noise-induced hearing loss. It’s just a few little changes today to make a huge, positive difference! For more questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly and professional specialists.