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You can prevent some types of hearing loss. Being exposed to loud noise over and over is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss. It usually develops slowly and without pain or other symptoms, and you may not notice that you have hearing loss until it is severe.
Steps you can take to lower your risk of noise-induced hearing loss include the following:
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Be aware of and avoid harmful noise. You can be exposed to harmful noise at work, at home, and in many other settings. This exposure builds up over time and can result in ear damage and hearing loss. Harmful noise can come from commonly used tools such as lawn mowers or activities such as riding motorcycles. Know what kinds of situations can generate harmful noise levels, and avoid these situations whenever possible.
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Use hearing protectors. If you know you are going to be around harmful noise, wear hearing protectors such as earplugs or earmuffs. Cotton balls or tissues stuffed in the ears do not offer much protection. If used correctly, hearing protectors can go a long way in reducing the level of sound that reaches the ears. Lawn mowers, power tools, and some basic household appliances can damage your hearing if you do not wear hearing protectors.
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Control the volume when you can. Don’t buy noisy toys, appliances, or tools when there are quieter alternatives. Reduce the noise in your life by turning down the volume on the stereo, television or car radio and especially on personal listening devices with earphones.
Do not wait until you notice a hearing loss to start protecting yourself from harmful noise. After noise-related damage to the ear is done, it cannot be reversed. But if you already have some noise-related hearing loss, it is not too late to prevent further damage and preserve the hearing that you still have.
To lower your risk of injury-related, medicine-related and other types of hearing loss:
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Never stick a cotton swab, hairpin, or other object in your ear to try to remove earwax or to scratch your ear. In general, the best way to prevent earwax problems is to leave earwax alone.
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Ask your pharmacist or doctor whether the medication you are taking may cause hearing loss. If you develop a new hearing problem while taking medicine, tell your doctor.
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Always blow your nose gently and through both nostrils.
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During air travel, swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is landing. If you have an upper respiratory problem (such as a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection), take a decongestant a few hours before landing, and use a decongestant spray just before landing.
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Always wear your seat belt in the car, and wear a helmet when you bike, ski, or skate. These habits can lower your risk of head and ear injury.
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Stop smoking. You are more likely to have hearing loss if you smoke.
Signs of noise-induced hearing loss are appearing at earlier ages and in children. Be sure your child has regular hearing exams and follows the above suggestions to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Common symptoms of hearing loss include:
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Muffled hearing and a feeling that your ear is plugged.
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Trouble understanding what people are saying, especially when other people are talking or when there is background noise, such as a radio.
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Listening to the TV or radio at a higher volume than in the past.
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Avoiding talking with or being around other people
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Depression. Many adults may become depressed because of how hearing loss affects their social lives.
Other symptoms include:
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A ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear, called tinnitus.
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Ear pain, itching, irritation, or fluid leaking from the ear.
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A feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning (vertigo).