How to Prevent Hearing Loss

This article gives tips on how to prevent hearing loss.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ear plugs or ear muffs (optional)

1. 1. One of the most important ways to prevent hearing loss is to be aware of noise levels in the environment. The warning signs of noise that is too loud include: raising your voice to be heard, not being able to hear someone else close by, speech sounds are muffled, getting “used to” loud noise, and pain or ringing in the ears after loud noise.
   
   The sound level and the length of time you hear noise determine how badly hearing will be affected. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibels, the louder the noise. Noise louder than 80 decibels can cause hearing loss. Avoid loud rock music, gunfire, jet engine noise, jackhammers, model airplanes, motorcycles, drums, snowmobiles, drills, and chain saws, as well as lawnmowers and truck traffic or wear ear protection when you are exposed to them (ear plugs and/or ear muffs).

2. 2. Have an audiologist check your hearing every three years or every year after age 55. If friends and family seem to mumble or you are saying, “What?” all the time, have your hearing checked! Children need to have their hearing checked as soon as possible after birth and regularly through the early part of elementary school.

3. 3. Never put anything in your ears, not even cotton swabs or liquids, unless a doctor tells you to. Have a doctor treat ear infections right away. Fluid in the middle ear should be drained and ear tubes may be needed.

4. 4. If you are taking medications that might affect your hearing, a doctor should monitor you carefully and do the appropriate tests.

5. 5. If you attend a concert, take a break from the music occasionally. If you are a musician, wear ear protection at all times.

6. 6. Turn down the volume on Ipods, TVs, and other media.

7. 7. Teach children the dangers of loud noise and how to protect themselves. When buying appliances, toys, sporting equipment, and tools, check the decibel rating of the items. Choose quieter models with dB under 80.

8. 8. OSHA regulations ensure that, on the job, noise levels must adhere to an eight hour average noise level of less than 85 dBs; if not, a hearing protection program must be in place. Check your workplace for compliance, if it doesn’t, make a complaint to the management and OSHA.

Tips & Warnings

• Once exposed to loud noise, ear damage cannot be reversed.

Resources

• hearing

[GHaider]

on 10/7/2008 Shared this with my son. Good info.