2A • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021 GMTODAY.COM
Living
50
Plus
The saying "you don't
know what you've got 'til
it's gone" is never more true
than in regard to hearing.
1. Ask for a baseline
hearing test. It's easier to
measure hearing loss if
there is a baseline by which
it can be measured. During
your annual physical, ask for
a hearing test or a referal to
an audiologist. This can set
the course for monitoring
progression of any future
hearing loss.
2. Wear hearing protec-
tion. There are various
types of hearing protection
that can filter out certain
levels of sound. Many
earplugs, like the ones musi-
cians wear or those worn
when attending rock con-
certs, can reduce the sound
by approximately 25 dB.
Custom fit ear plugs provide
more noise reduction, in
upwards of 35 to 40 dB. They
are optimal for high-noise
environments, such as when
mowing lawns or operating
machinery, according to the
hearing loss resource Hearts
for Hearing.
3. Turn down the vol-
ume. Experts recommend
adhering to the 60/60 rule
when enjoying audio
through headphones. This
suggestion is to listen with
the headphones at no more
than 60 percent volume for
no more than 60 minutes a
day. Earbuds fit directly next
to the eardrum and can be
harmful to your hearing. If
possible, choose over-the-ear
headphones instead.
4. Have custom molds
made. Rather than turning
up the volume, people can
have custom ear molds made
for use with earphones, sug-
gests Johns Hopkins. The
custom ear molds will block
outside noise, allowing for
higher quality listening.
5. Keep your ears dry.
Moisture in the ear can
cause bacteria to grow and
potentially lead to infec-
tions. Towel-dry ears gently
after showering or swim-
ming. Avoid the temptation
to use cotton swabs to dry
the ears. For the most part,
ears are self-cleaning, and
using a cotton swab can push
wax and cause it to become
compacted in the ear canal.
5 ways to protect hearing every day
