The One Thing Audiologists Say You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Protect Your Hearing as You Age
How to protect your hearing as you age
Protecting your hearing isn't always as intuitive or obvious a measure as, say, wearing a bike helmet or buckling your seatbelt, but experts agree that it should be.
It's more important to protect your hearing than you may realize, Rebecca Lewis, AuD, an audiologist and Audiology Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, points out, because doing so may also protect your brain health.
"The Lancet commission reported that hearing loss is the number one modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline," Lewis says.
In terms of what not to do? That's just as important as what to do when it comes to protecting your hearing over time. Here's what audiologists agree are the worst things to do for your hearing, as well as the best ways to protect and preserve it.
Related: Why Is My Ear Ringing? Audiologists Explain
What's the Worst Thing Someone Can Do for Their Hearing?
Audiologists agree that repeated exposure to loud noise without hearing protection is the biggest no-no if you want to protect your hearing as you age. But what constitutes loud noise? Turns out, "loud noise" is compromised of more than you think.
According to Joey Remnyi, MA, vestibular audiologist and author of Rock Steady: Healing Vertigo Or Tinnitus with Neuroplasticity, it means any environment in which "you need to yell to be heard." That means it isn't just the usual suspects of concerts, fireworks, machinery, airplane tarmacs or firing ranges—even loud parties can impact your ears.
"It's an accumulation effect," Remenyi explains. "So the louder the noise, the more potential damage to the inner ear hair cells, and the longer the time exposed, the increased risk of permanent hearing loss too."
A close second worst thing you can do for your hearing? It's shoving Q-tips (or anything else!) into your ears.
In fact, "cleaning" your ears with cotton swabs just pushes cerumen (ear wax) deeper and further into your ear canal, Lewis says, explaining, "This can cause cerumen impaction, which can be painful to remove. You also run the risk of puncturing your eardrum when you place Q-tips deep in the canal, which can lead to long-term hearing issues."
Related: The Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids at Walmart
Can Hearing Damage Be Remedied?
To put it simply: It depends.
"Sometimes hearing loss is temporary and will naturally return within 48 hours," Remenyi explains. (Think of how you sometimes still yell a little bit when you get home from a concert, but then go back to normal the next morning.) However, she notes, "Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be reversed. Once the damage is done to the inner ear, it’s generally permanent."
That said, there may be medical interventions that can help, Lewis notes.
"Medical management may be in the form of earwax removal or surgical procedures," she says. "Depending on the nature and degree of hearing loss, hearing aids and cochlear implants are very effective. While hearing aids do not correct hearing like glasses can for visual impairment, when hearing aids are programmed to prescriptive targets, they can dramatically improve communication abilities and access to hearing."
For severe cases, cochlear implants may be considered. "Cochlear implants essentially replace the damaged hearing system with an electrode array for patients who do not benefit from hearing aids," Lewis says. "Cochlear implant technology can provide full access to speech, language and communication. It does take rehabilitation to improve hearing with a cochlear implant, however, most adults see a dramatic improvement by three to six months."
Another tool if you have hearing loss can be remote microphones, which can work in tandem with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and can help you hear your companions directly in noisy environments (like restaurants or a party) or at a distance.
Related: Why Do We Like Loud Music If It Damages Our Hearing?
What's the Best To Protect Your Hearing as You Age?
Audiologists agree that being prepared and preventing damage is key.
This means if you're going to be exposed to loud noise like at concerts, fireworks shows or sporting events, Lewis says to use appropriate hearing protection.
Remenyi advises, "Be prepared by having little earplugs in your bag at all times so that you can use them as needed."
Other tips from Lewis include:
Download free sound level meters to help you determine how much hearing protection you need at a given time.
Be careful when using headphones and never put them at full volume.
Limit the volume on your devices to 75% so that you aren't tempted to make them louder.
"Be careful of medications with side effects that can cause hearing loss," Lewis warns. "Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about a medication being ototoxic (damaging to the ears)."
"Managing your cardiovascular health or other conditions such as diabetes can benefit hearing as well," Lewis notes.
Limit your vices! "Hearing health can also be maintained by avoiding excessive caffeine use, alcohol and tobacco and by eating a healthy diet," Lewis says.
"Monitor your hearing routinely or sooner if a change in hearing is suspected. If you suspect hearing loss, especially a sudden change in hearing, it is important to see an ENT and audiologist immediately," Lewis notes. "Early intervention is always associated with better outcomes."
When Should People Start Getting Their Hearing Checked?
Lewis recommends starting hearing exams around age 55, but you don't have to wait that long.
"Whenever you have hearing concerns, it makes sense to check your hearing," Remenyi says. "This acts as a baseline for you to monitor change as you age, so at any age, it is a good idea."
"By around the age of 50 you could be seeing a natural decline in the high frequencies of your hearing which is nothing to worry about," she notes. "Seek support from an audiologist if you have any difficulty hearing in daily life. Support is out there."
Next, This Is the #1 Sign That Someone Is 'Aging Well,' According to a Geriatrician
Sources
Rebecca Lewis, AuD, audiologist and audiology director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California
Joey Remenyi, MA, vestibular audiologist, neuroplasticity therapist, author and founder of Seeking Balance
