Everyday Habits That May Be Damaging Your Hearing

Your hearing might be at risk due to daily habits that you may not realize are harmful. Despite being one of the first senses to develop before birth, hearing is often underappreciated. The ability to enjoy music or recognize a child’s first words relies on sensitive ears.

According to the American Academy of Audiology, about 40 million American adults experience hearing loss due to noise exposure. This issue affects people of all ages and backgrounds because many do not realize that hearing damage accumulates over time.

There are three primary types of hearing loss: conductive, which involves the outer or middle ear, sensorineural, which involves the inner ear, and mixed, which is a combination of both.

Warning Signs and Risks

Warning signs of hearing loss include muffled sounds, ringing in the ears, the need to increase volume, and discomfort from background noise. Avoiding loud environments is key to preventing hearing damage. However, everyday habits might cause long-term harm.

Using Earbuds at High Volume

Earbuds and headphones are prevalent in places like the subway or grocery store. While convenient, listening to loud music through them is a significant health concern. The issue isn’t the earbuds themselves, but the high volumes used for prolonged periods.

If you listen to music so loudly that you can’t hear others around you, it’s too loud. Use the 60/60 rule: Keep the volume below 60% of its maximum and limit sessions to 60 minutes. Increasing volume to drown out background noise in places like airplanes and trains can harm the hair cells in your inner ear, which do not regenerate.

Driving with Windows Down

While driving with the windows down is tempting, especially in summer, it is surprisingly harmful. The wind noise, particularly on highways, can impact hearing.

Repeated exposure to high noise levels from long commutes may lead to hearing stress, especially if there are multiple noise sources throughout your day. Remember, hearing health is affected by total noise exposure, not just one source.

Using a Hairdryer Daily

Hair drying might be necessary, but it contributes to overall noise exposure. Household appliances, though familiar, are not risk-free.

For hairstylists or salon professionals using hairdryers extensively, the noise poses a more significant threat. Hearing risks do not only come from obviously loud events.

Protecting Your Hearing

Some hearing loss may be reversible with treatment and lifestyle changes. Taking listening breaks, turning down the volume, and embracing everyday sounds can help.

If you notice warning signs like ringing in the ears after loud events, address them promptly. These signs may indicate that your auditory system has been stressed by excessive noise.

Contact the editors at Newsweek, Charlotte Nisbet and Shakeema Edwards, for more information on this story. If you have a health concern, reach out via [email protected] for expert advice and the chance to have your story featured.