Tips For Maintaining Good Hearing Health

Hearing loss is a common hearing problem faced by several Americans. According to the National Institutes of Health, 15% of adult Americans experience some form of hearing problem. More often than not, many people experience hearing problems because of their actions and inactions. The truth is you are in charge of the state of your hearing. Therefore, it is vital to practice habits that reduce your risk of hearing loss and other issues in the future. Here are five tips for maintaining good hearing health.

Don’t Crank Up the Volume

For many people, the best way to enjoy listening to music is to turn the volume to the highest and plug in the earphones. Or leaving the TV on at a loud volume. Although this may make your listening session enjoyable for a short while, such a habit can lead to hearing loss. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid high volumes when listening to music or watching TV.

Some experts advise practicing the 60/60 rule, keep your phone or TV volume at 60% and listen for only about 60 minutes. You should also consider using headphones instead of earphones, as the former places more distance between your eardrum and the noise of your devices. 

Avoid Using Cotton Swabs

This may not be what you expected to see on a list like this, but cotton swabs may be doing more harm than good. According to experts and researchers, cotton swabs do not clean the ear like you think they do. Instead, they push earwax deeper down the ear canal. This can, in turn, lead to hearing loss. Additionally, you risk the sensitive structures of the ears, such as the eardrum. You should consult your audiologist for advice on satisfying an itchy ear or taking out earwax. 

Exercise Regularly

That’s right! Exercising is vital in ensuring your hearing health is in good condition. Regular physical activity ensures good blood flow and circulation throughout the body. This helps blood and oxygen get to the ears to keep them healthy. The inner ear contains tiny hairs that translate the sounds the ear collects into electrical impulses for the brain to translate. These hairs are kept healthy due to good blood flow. 

Now is a good time to get your gym membership or implement a workout session. However, you don’t need to go running or indulge in strenuous exercise routines. Simply going for a swim, taking a walk, dancing or other activities that keep you physically active is sufficient.  

Stop Smoking

You may not know it, but a study has shown a link between smoking and hearing loss. This is further illustrated by statistics that indicate that smokers have a 70% chance of experiencing hearing loss. The eustachian tubes, connecting the middle ears to the back of the throat, drain fluid and maintain air pressure within the ear.

Smoking irritates and blocks this tube, causing a buildup of fluid and an imbalance in air pressure, which eventually lead to hearing loss. The nicotine and carbon monoxide consumed when smoking also tighten blood vessels, preventing oxygen from reaching the inner ear. Nicotine can also prevent neurotransmitters from processing sound correctly.

The more you smoke, the higher your chances of experiencing hearing loss. Therefore, if you are a smoker, take steps to cut back and eventually stop smoking. This would benefit not only your hearing health but your overall health as well and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases, lung-related complications and so on.

Visit an Audiologist Regularly

Averagely, you should be visiting an audiologist once every year. Audiologists suggest getting

a hearing test every three to five years if you’re between the ages of 18 to 40. The frequency of visits would depend on your pre-existing medical conditions. For instance, meningitis is a condition that may cause hearing loss.

Therefore, patients would have to visit the audiologist regularly for preventive reasons. During your visits, be sure to ask your audiologist any questions you may have concerning your hearing health. These experts on health care and health are available to assist you in maintaining good hearing health.

Visit the Texas Professional Hearing Center Today

When it comes to your hearing health, you cannot compromise on quality. That is why you must visit the Texas Professional Hearing Center. Fully equipped with modern solutions to ensure you receive the best services. We also have a team of experienced and qualified audiologists ready to assist you with your auditory health needs. Contact us at (281) 420-8033 to book an appointment.