In a world filled with excess noise and other hearing risks, the ears are paying the price. The result is a collective damage to hearing in alarming numbers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 12.5 percent of children and adolescents and 17 percent of adults have suffered permanent hearing damage due to excessive noise. That’s nearly 5.2 million children and 26 million adults.
One of the best ways to prevent hearing loss is to make a few lifestyle changes designed with hearing in mind. Following are four tips to save hearing.
1. Adjust headphone volume.
There’s nothing better than cranking up some rocking tunes during an invigorating workout. However, this popular pastime comes at a price when it comes to preserving precious hearing capabilities.
According to MedlinePlus, ear bud-style headphones may be the problem. They're not designed to eliminate outside noise, so people tend to listen much louder than they should to block external sounds.
To protect ears, make it a habit to keep track of volume levels when it comes to headphones. This means using two general rules of thumb.
First, make sure music isn’t blasting so loud that people nearby can hear it. Experts say that this simple tool is one of the best indicators that the music is turned up too loud.
Second, use common sense. MedlinePlus advises listening to music at level four or less. Anything more for just 15 minutes a day can increase the risk of hearing loss.
So be aware of the volume of listening devices while working out and limit headphone time.
2. Protect ears from excessive recreational noise levels.
It’s a noisy world. There is outside noise everywhere that can damage hearing, and ears are paying the price for this exposure.
According to the Better Hearing Institute, 10 million Americans have irreversible hearing damage. And about 30 million people are subjected to concerning noise levels on a daily basis.
But how and what noises damage ears?
Fine hairs in the inner ear are damaged when exposed to excessive noise, much as they are as the human body ages. This accelerated damage often results in permanent, sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), according to the Better Hearing Institute.
This noise can be insidious and occurs in unexpected places, so take note of the risks.
The Better Hearing Institute says that the following activities need to be approached with caution when it comes to hearing: firearms, firecrackers, power tools, music concerts, dance clubs, NASCAR, sporting events, motorcycles, motorboats, snowmobiles, powerboats and boom cars.
To begin to make changes when it comes to recreational noise, consider wearing protective hearing devices. For example, wear earplugs at concerts, or invest in a pair of protective earmuffs similar to those children wear. Wear them when engaging in loud activities at home, such as yard work or DIY projects to protect ears in the long run.
Second, know the body’s signals when it comes to too much noise. The first signal is that familiar ringing sound that occurs after partaking in loud activities. This signals an unsafe situation that is too loud.
The second signal is the experience of dull-sounding noise after participating in an excessively noisy situation.
So take precautions when it comes to recreational noise before it’s too late.
3. Take steps to avoid developing diabetes.
According to the CDC, more than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes, but one in four doesn’t even know it. And 86 million Americans have developed prediabetes, yet nine out of 10 people are unaware that they have it.
Here’s the thing: Diabetes and hearing loss go hand in hand.
According to the American Diabetes Association, hearing loss is twice as common in diabetics and of those who have prediabetes, hearing loss is 30 percent higher than in those with normal blood glucose.
While it’s not known why these hearing changes occur, it is thought that high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear.
To avoid getting diabetes, make lifestyle changes designed with health in mind. Limit excess sugars and processed foods, and get some exercise.
4. Beware of taking too many over-the-counter analgesics.
Think those simple drugstore pain medications are safe to take on a regular basis? Think again. Studies show that taking too many over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may have an effect on hearing.
According to a study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, women who took ibuprofen or acetaminophen two or more days per week had an increased risk of hearing loss.
The study shows that the relationship between regular medication consumption and hearing loss is parallel. In other words, taking these medications more often raises the risk of hearing loss. And surprisingly, the risk seems to be greatest among women under the age of 50 who take ibuprofen about six or seven days a week.
“Possible mechanisms might be that NSAIDs may reduce blood flow to the cochlea -- the hearing organ -- and impair its function,” said study author Sharon G. Curhan of BWH’s Channing Division of Network Medicine in an article published in the Harvard Gazette.
“If individuals find a need to take these types of medications regularly, they should consult with their health care professional to discuss the risks and benefits and to explore other possible alternatives,” Curhan said.
To avoid potential hearing damage, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks associated with over-the-counter pain medications. And make sure to get regular hearing tests if you take these medications or are exposed to noise on a regular basis.