When it comes to protecting our health, our ears often don’t get as much attention as they deserve. While many people understand they need protection at a shooting range or a loud concert, there are other parts of everyday life where you may need ear protection as well.
From power tools to loud music in headphones to driving in the car, these everyday sounds can cause long-term damage to your hearing if you don’t adequately protect yourself. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most common everyday things that can harm your hearing and effective ways to better protect yourself.
Headphones & Hearing Damage
Most people love listening to their favorite songs, podcasts, audiobooks, or streaming services through their headphones. Many individuals have a soundtrack going on in their ears throughout the day, But did you know that prolonged or excessive use of headphones at high volumes can cause significant damage to your hearing over time? Earbuds can reach a whopping 105 dB, which is especially harmful if your exposure is prolonged. Turning down the volume can ensure you can listen to your favorite music and maintain your hearing health.
Beware of Certain Medications
A surprising culprit of hearing damage is certain types of medication. Ototoxic medications, including types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and diuretics, can harm your hearing health. The next time you’re prescribed medication, ask your doctor how it could negatively affect your hearing or discuss the impacts with your audiologist at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey.
Everyday Chores
Did you know even your everyday chores can affect your hearing health? Vacuuming and running the lawn mower without ear protection can significantly affect your hearing, especially if you’re doing these activities regularly or for prolonged periods of time. Using earplugs or other forms of ear protection can ensure you keep your ears safe.
Stress and Anxiety’s Effects on Hearing
Stress and anxiety can affect every aspect of your body, including your ears and hearing. Stress can increase how sensitive you are to loud noises and can make your tinnitus symptoms more pronounced. By practicing stress-relieving activities and learning what triggers your anxiety, you can not only help your mental health but also the health of your ears.
Power Tools and Hearing Health
Love doing a DIY project at home? Perhaps you like building things around your house? While DIY is a hobby for many people, the power tools used in DIY can significantly harm your hearing. Many power tools are incredibly loud and can cause hearing loss. It’s important to wear protective gear to maintain optimal hearing health.
Ears and Travel
If you travel often, you’ve likely noticed your ears pop or feel strange when on a flight. Why does that occur? It’s because of the change in air pressure when you travel by air. Occasionally flying typically won’t cause long-term damage, but frequent flyers should be aware of the risks to their ears and hearing. Talk to your audiologist about ways you can protect your ears while in the air.
Tips to Protect Your Hearing
While it may seem like hearing damage is unavoidable, especially with the way loud noises are everywhere in our everyday lives, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your hearing and ear health. Use noise-canceling headphones at a reasonable volume, wear ear protection at loud events or job sites, learn more about the medications you are taking, and schedule regular checkups with one of our experienced audiologists at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey.
Schedule A Consultation
Protect yourself from hearing loss with the help of our team at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey! Whether you need hearing aids or simply a few tips to maintain your ear health, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Schedule a consultation today by calling our Livingston, NJ office at 973-874-2790 or using our online contact form.
