Healthy Hearing: Keeping your ears protected

Hearing loss affects over ten million people in the UK, and the charity Action on Hearing Loss believes there are around four million people who would benefit from the use of a hearing aid. Yet the causes of hearing loss are often forgotten or dismissed, and the problem is considered something that just happens as part of old age. This isn't the case, of course, as while age is a major factor, hearing impairments can happen in people of all ages, whether due to a physical accident or an underlying condition.

Causes of Hearing Loss

The two primary causes of hearing loss are noise exposure and age. Age is by far the most common, and in actual fact starts much earlier than many people realise, with hearing abilities usually decreasing between the ages of 30 and 40. This happens when the hairs inside the ear which vibrate to transfer sounds start to deteriorate, and as a result older people find it hard to pick out higher pitches and struggle in conversation.

Overexposure to loud noises can also have a significant effect on hearing loss, and can dramatically speed up the process. In general, prolonged noises of 85 decibels or more can cause permanent damage to the ears, and should be avoided where possible. This includes concerts, driving in a convertible car, and working with heavy machinery - all of which should only be carried out with ear plugs or protective equipment.

Other causes include viral infections which block the inner ear off; dislocation of the inner ear bones (usually the result of a physical knock); problems with the central nervous system; and certain disorders such as Ménière's disease.

Preventing Hearing Loss

Ears are very sensitive, and should be treated with care. These are just some of the best ways to ensure they are kept in the optimum condition, so that you do not encounter any unnecessary problems:

Have hearing tests
It is difficult to know when your own hearing is deteriorating, and this can cause confusion and frustration if you are finding it hard to follow conversations.

Replace loud earphones with noise-blocking headphones
Rather than turning the volume up, pick up a pair of noise-reducing headphones which cancel out the buzz around you, allowing you to enjoy your music and audio books at a safe noise level without distraction.

Protect your ears
If you work in an environment with a lot of noise - for example in an airport, nightclub or somewhere with heavy machinery - it's essential that you pick up a pair of ear plugs or even a set of protective over-ear mufflers, to prevent your job making you unhealthy. Your employer may be happy to help you purchase the appropriate equipment.

Keep objects out of your ears
This is a particular problem with children, but as trapped objects can block sound to the inner ear and damage the hearing mechanisms, you should always avoid inserting items into your ears. This includes cotton buds, as these can actually pack down excess wax rather than removing it.

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