10 Recommendations to avoid harm from everyday sounds.

We are exposed to many noises every day: traffic, machines, mobile devices, planes… At intense levels for prolonged periods, these sounds can adversely affect the health of our hearing.

According to the Spanish Society of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, daily exposure to high intensity noise can cause progressive loss of hearing.

It is estimated that one-third of the world’s population, and 75% of inhabitants of industrialised cities, suffer from some degree of deafness caused by exposure to sounds above the acceptable threshold, which the World Health Organization sets at 65db. Continued exposure to sounds over 65db, such as a drills, horns or firecrackers, increases the likelihood of hearing loss.

Ten ways to look after your hearing

Loss of hearing can be prevented in most cases. Experts set out 10 basic recommendations for optimal hearing health:

1. Use hearing protection: especially when we are immersed in continuous noise, such as some work environments.
2. Protection from noise: avoid impulsive noises (firecrackers, explosives), keep away from sources of piercing sounds, generally make less din, and reduce exposure time. Listening to music over 110 dB can also cause early hearing loss.
3. Go to the ear, nose and throat doctor: in cases of inflammation, tinnitus, discharge, pain or clogging, since such disorders can lead to hearing problems.
4. Regular check-ups: go for a check-up at least once a year, especially if there are risk factors (family history, exposure to noisy environment, etc.) and from age 50 onwards.
5. Do not insert foreign objects: avoid the use of oils, salt solutions, drops, hydrogen peroxide or cotton buds, since they can push the wax in and damage the eardrum.
6. Ear cleansing: wash only the outer part of the ear with a towel or gauze. If frequent cleansing is needed, it is preferable to check with a specialist.
7. Do not self-medicate: only take medication, both topical and oral, when prescribed by a doctor.
8. Bathing tips: the water in the sea or the pool may be contaminated, so it is important to meet a series of basic hygiene and cleaning standards. A specialist may suggest using earplugs whilst bathing, as required in each case.
9. Avoid blows: special care must be taken when playing contact sports that can cause trauma to the ear area, leading to problems.
10. Treat ear infections properly: children should see a doctor whenever there is a suspected ear infection, even when there is no pain, fever or discharge, since it may become recurrent otitis. Unless dealt with at an early stage, it may become chronic and lead to hearing loss.

Moreover, it has been proven that constant sound stimuli can reduce concentration and make us more irritable, in addition to causing hearing loss.

If it's music to your ears, it's music for your health.

This post is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)