Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions. Statistics show us that approximately 15% of American adults report some trouble hearing. Some causes of hearing loss, such as age or genetics, are out of your control. However, you may also be engaging in some habits that are harmful to your hearing health.
Regular Exposure to Loud Noise 
Whether you’re attending a concert at White Oak Music Hall or listening to your favorite songs on your headphones while out for a jog, it’s important to be mindful of the volume. Exposure to loud noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss among all age groups. Damage to the inner ear can start occurring after prolonged exposure to any volume 85 dB or louder. The higher the volume, the less time it takes for damage to occur and problems like tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss to develop.
To avoid this, try to minimize your exposure to loud noise when possible. When attending loud events, use hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs, and make sure to keep the volume on your headphones below 60% of their maximum volume.
Lack of Exercise
We all know that there are numerous health risks associated with being too sedentary, and an increased risk of hearing loss is another one of them. People who don’t get enough physical exercise tend to be at a higher risk of illnesses like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. These conditions can disrupt blood flow to the inner ear or cause damage to the nerve endings in the ear, leading to hearing loss.
Smoking
Just like a lack of exercise, smoking increases your risk of many conditions that can lead to hearing loss. Additionally, when cigarettes are burned, they create thousands of toxic chemicals, some of which may damage your ears.
Ignoring Ear Infections
Ear infections are more common in children, but adults are susceptible to them as well. While they often can clear up on their own, it’s important to get checked out if you have symptoms that last for more than a few days or continue to worsen. Symptoms include ear pain, fullness or pressure in the ear, drainage and hearing loss.
While most hearing loss caused by ear infections is temporary, chronic or recurrent ear infections can damage the middle or inner ear, leading to permanent problems.
When to See a Hearing Health Professional
If you’ve noticed that sounds seem muffled or are experiencing a ringing or buzzing in your ear, it’s important to make an appointment with a hearing health professional. They can examine your ears, perform a hearing test and help you find the right pair of hearing aids or other treatment options.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Hearing Systems today.