It can feel frustrating, and sometimes worrying, to notice that conversations seem more muffled than usual, or that the TV needs to be turned up louder than before.
Hearing loss is much more common than you might initially think. Indeed, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People reveals that 1 in 3 adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus. This equates to over 18 million people.
As you grow older, the likelihood increases, as:
- More than half of adults over the age of 55 experience some form of hearing loss
- Around 4 in 5 will notice a decline by the time they reach their 70s.
While it is somewhat natural for your hearing to deteriorate with age, it’s not something you should simply accept without taking action.
In fact, safeguarding your hearing can preserve your quality of life and protect your overall cognitive health.
Continue reading to discover why this is the case, and several proactive steps you can take to help protect your ears.
Your ears can’t repair hearing loss, and it can sometimes lead to cognitive decline
Hearing loss is permanent, unlike other parts of your body that can heal with time. Your inner ear contains delicate hair cells in the cochlea, and once these are damaged, they can’t repair themselves.
This is why protecting your hearing is so important.
One of the first effects you may notice is a strain on your social life. You may find it more challenging to follow conversations, especially in groups or noisy environments.
Misunderstandings, or constantly asking people to repeat themselves, can feel frustrating. Over time, you may begin to withdraw from situations where it’s challenging to hear altogether.
This can quickly result in:
- Isolation
- Stress
- Low moods
Perhaps surprisingly, research shows that deafness can affect your cognitive health. A study from Johns Hopkins found that mild hearing loss doubled the chances of dementia, while moderate loss tripled the risk.
For those with a severe impairment, the risk was as much as five times higher.
Scientists believe this occurs due to the fact that hearing loss contributes to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain.
Simultaneously, the social isolation caused by difficulty following conversations can reduce cognitive stimulation, further affecting your memory and thinking skills.
Your hearing is also vital for your personal safety. You may find it more challenging to hear alarms or sirens, or even notice traffic.
Ultimately, diminished hearing can affect how much you can enjoy your day-to-day life. Listening to music, engaging in conversation with loved ones, or simply hearing the birds at your local park all bring a sense of pleasure.
5 straightforward ways to protect your hearing in your day-to-day life
Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, which is equivalent to heavy city traffic, can cause permanent hearing damage.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your hearing before it’s too late. Read on to find out how.
1. Turn down the volume when you’re listening to music
One of the most straightforward habits you can change is simply turning down the volume when listening to music, especially through headphones.
Of course, it’s understandable that you might want to increase the sound when you’re listening to your favourite song, or you’re in a noisy environment.
However, doing so regularly can put unnecessary strain on your ears.
A helpful guideline is the “60/60 rule”. This involves listening at no more than 60% volume for 60 minutes at a time.
Many devices these days also allow you to set volume limits, which could prevent you from unconsciously turning the sound up too high.
2. Use earplugs in noisy environments
While it might sound apparent, using earplugs in noisy environments is another effective way to protect your hearing.
Whether you’re at a concert, doing DIY with power tools, or spending time in places with loud machinery, it’s easy to think that limited exposure won’t make much difference to your hearing.
Yet, this isn’t the case, as even a short time surrounded by loud noises can overstimulate your ear’s sensitive hair cells, causing them to become fatigued and eventually die.
Earplugs can reduce the levels of sound reaching your ears. Better yet, they’re relatively cheap, widely available, and, when properly fitted, can significantly reduce the risks of long-term damage.
3. Give your ears a much-needed break
It’s just as vital to give your ears a break from time to time. After being exposed to loud sounds for prolonged periods, you should ideally give yourself periods of quiet.
This gives the sensitive structures in your ears the chance to recover from strain.
Just as you would any other part of your body, muscles need rest after exercise, and your ears can benefit from this break too.
4. Try not to overuse cotton buds
While it may seem harmless to use a cotton bud during a shower or after swimming, too much can disturb the natural oils in your ear canal. This can lead to irritation or infection.
Experts advise only wiping as far as your little finger can reach. Anything beyond this could risk causing harm, doing more damage than good.
5. Be careful with ear drops
If your ears feel blocked, you might be tempted to use oil-based ear drops or other over-the-counter remedies.
While these can provide short-term relief, you should use them sparingly and only as advised on the packaging.
You might even want to speak to your GP first, as blockages could result from an underlying infection or another condition requiring a different treatment.
Conversely, overusing ear drops could block the pores of your skin or simply worsen issues inside your ear.
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Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
