It’s about that time again, the time when people start asking if you’re making any New Year’s resolutions. In addition to reading more books or hitting the gym a couple of times a week, you may want to consider adding hearing protection to your list of resolutions.
Why Is Hearing Protection Important?
If you have ever left a loud concert at the park or a monster movie at the Studio Movie Grill only to find a ringing in your ears or temporarily muffled hearing, it is likely that you have experienced hearing damage.
When exposed to a loud noise, the tiny hair cells in your ears responsible for transmitting noise to the brain can become overworked and suffer damage. Because damage is often permanent, taking steps to protect your hearing is crucial.
Hearing Protection for Those With Hearing Loss
It is common for people with hearing loss to feel they no longer need to practice hearing protection. While hearing loss cannot usually be reversed, it can progress from mild to severe without proper protection. You may not be able to prevent aging or genetic causes of hearing loss, but by practicing noise protection and engaging your remaining hearing, you can avoid unnecessary loss.
Hearing Protection Tips
A few ways you can resolve to protect your hearing include:
- Wear hearing protection. You cannot always avoid exposure to loud noise, but you can soften their impact with earmuffs or earplugs. Consider carrying earplugs in your car or purse to have on hand in the event of loud noise exposure.
- Wear hearing aids. Hearing loss can lead to a condition called auditory deprivation. When the auditory center in your brain does not receive enough stimulation, it can lead to a weakening in the ability to process sounds. Hearing aids protect your ability to process sound by amplifying external noises and depositing them directly into the ear canal, preventing unnecessary auditory deprivation.
By wearing hearing protection when exposed to loud noise and using hearing aids to prevent auditory deprivation, you can ensure you make the most of your 2024 New Year’s resolution. To learn more about hearing loss, contact Kampsen Hearing today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.