5 Habits That Are Damaging to Hearing Health

In the age of smartphones and portable music players, it's easier than ever to enjoy your favorite tunes wherever you go. However, many people make the mistake of cranking up the volume to unhealthy levels while using earbuds or headphones. Here's why it's damaging:

• Exposure to High Decibel Levels: Listening to music at a high volume for an extended period can expose your ears to sound levels that are harmful. This can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, a condition that is entirely preventable.
• Damage to Hair Cells: Inside your inner ear are tiny hair cells responsible for transmitting sound signals to your brain. Prolonged exposure to loud music can damage or destroy these cells, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Solution: To protect your hearing, follow the 60/60 rule. Listen to music at no more than 60% of your device's maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. Additionally, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones, which can help block external sounds, allowing you to enjoy your music at a lower, safer volume.

Whether you're at a concert, a construction site, or a busy city street, exposure to loud environments is common. Failing to protect your ears in these situations can have severe consequences.

• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause immediate and long-term damage to your hearing. It may lead to ringing in the ears (tinnitus), temporary or permanent hearing loss, and other ear-related issues.

Solution: When in noisy environments, always wear ear protection such as custom earplugs or earmuffs. These devices can significantly reduce the impact of loud sounds on your ears and help preserve your hearing health. Your future self will thank you for it.

Swimming is a popular recreational activity, but it can pose a risk to your hearing health if proper precautions aren't taken.

• Swimmer's Ear: This painful condition is an infection of the outer ear canal, usually caused by water getting trapped in the ear. It can lead to discomfort, pain, and temporary hearing loss.

Solution: To avoid swimmer's ear, wear earplugs designed for swimming, and ensure you dry your ears thoroughly after swimming. Tilt your head to allow water to drain out, or use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting to remove any moisture from your ear canal.

It's a common misconception that you need to clean your ears regularly with cotton swabs. However, this habit can actually be harmful to your ears.

• Impacted Earwax: Pushing cotton swabs into your ear canal can push earwax deeper, causing impaction. Impacted earwax can lead to earaches, temporary hearing loss, and tinnitus.

Solution: Your ears are self-cleaning. The earwax in your ears typically migrates outwards on its own. If you believe you have excessive earwax or are experiencing discomfort, it's best to consult a healthcare professional for professional ear cleaning.

Smoking is well-known for its detrimental effects on the respiratory system and overall health, but it can also harm your hearing in the following ways:

• Reduced Blood Flow: Smoking reduces blood flow to various parts of the body, including the inner ear. This reduced blood flow can deprive the ear's delicate structures of oxygen and nutrients, leading to hearing loss.
• Toxic Chemicals: Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Solution: The best way to protect your hearing and overall health is to quit smoking. Seek support and resources to help you quit if you're a smoker. Not only will your lungs thank you, but your ears will benefit as well.