The average person is born with approximately 16,000 hair cells in their inner ear, which facilitate the detection of sounds by the brain. Hearing loss often becomes noticeable only after a significant number of these cells have been damaged or destroyed. In fact, up to 50% of hair cells can be lost before changes are detectable through standard hearing tests. Unfortunately, damaged inner ear cells do not regenerate.
In addition to harming hair cells, noise can also inflict damage on the auditory nerve responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain. This early damage may not register on a standard hearing test.
While there is currently no treatment to fully restore normal hearing, it is possible to prevent hearing loss caused by loud sounds.
Here are eight tips to help preserve your hearing:
1. Avoid Excessive Noise: If you need to raise your voice to be heard over surrounding noise, it’s likely loud enough to harm your hearing. Sources such as motorcycles, concert speakers, power tools, and earphones can all contribute to hearing damage.
2. Advocate for Quiet: Consider purchasing appliances and devices with low noise ratings, and if environments like movie theaters or restaurants are too loud, kindly request that the volume be lowered. Carrying earplugs is a prudent measure.
3. Limit Exposure to Loud Sounds: While certain loud noises, like ambulance sirens or construction work, are unavoidable, it’s beneficial to minimize the time spent in their proximity, as hearing loss is influenced by both the intensity and duration of exposure.
4. Use Hearing Protection: When anticipating exposure to loud sounds for an extended period, consider wearing earplugs or earmuffs to reduce noise levels. Combining earplugs and earmuffs offers enhanced protection.
5. Avoid Smoking: Research suggests that tobacco use can increase the risk of hearing loss. Quitting smoking, or avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, can mitigate this risk.
6. Proper Earwax Removal: Accumulated earwax can obstruct sound transmission, but avoid using cotton swabs, as they can push wax deeper into the ear. Instead, use an at-home irrigation kit to soften and gently remove wax. Seek medical assistance if wax becomes impacted.
7. Check Medications: Approximately 200 medications, including certain antibiotics and cancer treatments, can impair hearing. Consult your doctor regarding any potential hearing-related side effects before starting a new medication.
8. Regular Hearing Tests: Schedule hearing evaluations if you have a family history of hearing loss, experience difficulty in conversations, are regularly exposed to loud noises, or notice persistent ringing in your ears. Prompt attention to changes in hearing can help prevent further damage. If hearing loss is detected, consider interventions such as hearing aids and consult a physician if sudden unexplained changes in hearing occurs.