Simple Ways to Improve and Protect Your Hearing

It’s not uncommon for a person to take what they have for granted, such as the ability to see, feel, smell, and hear. Having the ability to listen to and interpret the sounds around you is a blessing, as it allows you to be fully immersed with your surrounding environment. With that in mind, you must take every opportunity to care for and protect your hearing if you want to continue having healthy ears and the ability to hear.

In light of Better Hearing and Speech Month, aim to look for ways to protect and improve your hearing. To help you take better care of your ears, check out some of the simple ways to improve and protect your hearing.

When the temperatures become cooler outside, it brings with it the onset of the cold and flu season. During this time, there is typically an increase in sickness, which translates into a higher risk of coming down with the cold, flu, and ear infections. Nobody enjoys being sick, so to help fend off illness, make sure you try to stay warm during this time, practice good hygiene, and you are eating a healthy, nutritious diet.

Physical exercise is good for your body, mind, and ears as it helps keep your blood flowing. Increased blood flow helps lower inflammation by improving circulation, which helps maintain healthy nerve function. Exercise is good for the brain, and your brain plays a vital role in your ability to hear. Besides getting physical exercise, exercising your ears and brain is also essential. There are smartphone apps available that can help you do just that. So take the time out daily to exercise your body, brain, and ears.

Hearing loss from excessive noise is prevalent, which is why doctors always sound like a broken record when they say to limit your exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss that occurs from excessive noise exposure is preventable as long as you stay vigilant. If you know you will be exposed to loud sounds for a prolonged period, make sure you have a good pair of earplugs or earmuffs on hand. If you are listening to music through headphones, make sure you follow the 60/60 rule. Meaning you only play your music for 60 minutes at a time, at 60% volume.

When the temperatures outside start to cool off, make sure you have something to cover your ears when you are out on cold, chilly days. It can be anything, a hat, scarf, or a pair of earmuffs. Just make sure you have something to cover your ears when it’s cold out. The reason for this is not comfort-related, even though having cold ears is uncomfortable, but instead, it’s to protect your ears from overexposure to the cold, wind, and moisture. So keep your ears bundled up when it’s cold outside!