Hearing loss is the third most prevalent health condition in America, yet it never gets discussed nearly as often as other ailments. Two most common types of hearing loss are presbycusis (which happens due to aging) and noise-induced hearing loss. Aging is a natural part of life, so presbycusis may often be an unavoidable reality for some people, but noise-induced hearing problems are totally preventable.
Electronic devices are a vital part of our existence today. Be it our smartphones or ipads, we are constantly listening to music or watching videos using the earbuds provided with our devices. Even though earbuds are more compact in size and portable in nature, they come in direct contact with our ear canal, making them dangerous threats to our hearing. Invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that you can wear over your ears so that you can enjoy your entertainment without damaging your hearing.
Background noises often lead us to crank up the volume on our earphones, which can damage our hearing. With noise-cancelling headphones, you can eliminate unnecessary background noise and focus on the sounds which you want to hear at a safer volume.
Hearing loss due to listening to music at an unsafe volume is a major problem. The World Health Organization reported that around 1.1 billion people in the young adult population across the globe have heightened risk of having permanent damage to hearing because of hazardous practices of using audio devices in unsafe levels of sound.
The 60-60 rule can be a life-saver when it comes to your hearing. Always remember to listen to music or other forms of audio entertainment for 60 minutes at one go, at only 60% of maximum available volume. This will enable your ears to get some rest before you expose them to extended periods of noise once more.
People who work in certain noisy industries such as mining, construction, and even musicians, face an increase risk of suffering from hearing loss. This is why it is imperative that people who work in loud environments use regular protective hearing gear such as earplugs or ear muffs. These protective gears are often provided as part of their employment terms in their place of work, especially in mining, construction, and other industries.
Even subtle professions such as dentistry, hospital technicians, hair stylists, and school teachers could be at risk of suffering from hearing damage. Constant exposure to loud levels of talking, or loud equipment such as hair dryers or x-ray machines can put people at risk of hearing loss over the years.
You can avoid hearing loss by using earplugs on a regular basis. Prevention is always better than the cure. Hearing loss is an irreversible condition, so do not neglect your hearing. Always protect your ears before exposing them to any kind of loud noises to avoid irreparable damage.