The ability to hear is a gift – a sensory experience that must be valued and protected. The following everyday tips will help reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss:
- Keeping down the volume—on smartphones, MP3s, music listening systems, televisions, and other audio devices. This is particularly important if you have young children, because their ears are more delicate. If you have dull hearing or ringing in your ears after listening to music or watching television make sure you lower the volume next time.
- Limit the duration and volume when using earbuds and headphones.
- Use noise cancelling headphones that block out extreme noise from jet engines, lawn mowers, power tools, etc.
- Use ear protection equipment such as ear muffs or ear plugs if you work in a noisy environment, such as a nightclub, a garage workshop or a construction site.
- Use ear protection at loud concerts and sporting events, such hockey and motor sports.
- Do not insert objects, such as cotton swabs, into your ears or your children’s ears.
- Be aware of the symptoms of common causes of hearing loss.
Visit your Hearing Instrument Practitioner or your child’s family doctor if experiencing hearing problems.