All five senses are vital for a human being to function well and to thoroughly appreciate the beauty in this world. A Keen hearing helps us perceive music, conversations, laughter, and other sounds that make for a lively existence. It is, therefore, imperative for us to keep our ears protected so that we can continue to enjoy the tunes of the universe for longer.
Our ears are sensitive organs that convert sound waves into vibrations that can be perceived by our brain. Any sound that is above the threshold of 85 decibels is likely to cause ear damage. Such sounds include continuous loud noise like that emanated by a power drill as well as a sudden sharp burst of noise like the one emitted by some fireworks.
Some health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, mumps, measles, and rubella can also trigger loss of hearing. In most cases though, aging is the leading cause of hearing impairment. Age-related degeneration of various parts of the ear happens due to a variety of reasons like nerve damage, impeded blood flow to the ear, and structural changes.
To reduce the probability of losing your ability to hear well in your golden years, it is essential to take care of your ears today. Here are a few things that you can do to avoid ear damage:
-
Wear Ear Protectors When In High Decibel Environments– Wearing ear muffs or ear plugs can help shield your ears from high volume sounds at places like a rock concert or a noisy club or a car race. It is better still to avoid spending too much time at places where the decibel levels are higher than what your ears can stand. If you have to shout to make yourself heard by a person at an arm’s length from you, then this is a clear indication that the sound level is higher than acceptable.
-
Ask Your Ear Specialist for A Hearing Test– Even when you do not feel that your hearing is compromised, it is beneficial to get your ears tested periodically. A baseline test will give your doctor an idea of your current hearing ability which can be used to compare future readings and determine the level of hearing loss, if any as you age.
-
Control The Sound Level Of Devices At Home– Try to keep the volume of your personal devices like the television, the mobile phone and the laptop towards the lower level. When you get used to hearing your music or watching television at a higher volume constantly, you can unknowingly unleash a lot of stress on your ears.
-
Wear a Helmet When Needed– You can avoid ear injuries by wearing proper headgear like a helmet while cycling or while playing sports like soccer. A concussion can easily cause a hearing disability. Wearing head-protecting gear can help you keep your head cushioned and safe from debilitating injuries.
-
Do Not Use Anything Else Other Than Q-tips To Clean Your Ears– Sticking sharp objects in your ears to clean them can cause major injury to the fragile skin inside. Such foreign objects can also trigger ear infections. Make sure you use a clean Q-tip to gently clean your ears and avoid inserting it too far down.
Taking care of your ears is not a very difficult task. If done diligently, it can avert the possibility of diminished hearing as you grow older. Try the suggestions mentioned above to give your ears the protection that they need.
