Simple Ways to Protect Your Ears Before It's Too Late

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults . While some of this hearing loss is due to the hair cells in the inner ear breaking down with age and no longer picking up vibrations, according to WebMD, there are still some risk factors that can be controlled through behavioral changes.

 

Experts say making small changes now can help protect your ears and hearing later in life. Here are some tips for better hearing as you age that you can implement today.

Limit exposure to loud noises

Whether it's a crowded concert, heavy traffic or the constant hum of power tools, repeated exposure to high noise levels is known to cause permanent damage to the delicate structures in the inner ear.

 

One of the most effective ways to protect your hearing as you age is to limit your exposure to these noisy environments.

Even small adjustments, like turning down the volume on your headphones or taking a quiet break during a noisy event, can make a big difference over time.

Protect your ears in noisy environments

Damage to the inner ear can occur long before it shows up on a hearing test, which means prevention is key.

When noisy situations cannot be avoided and you expect to be exposed to them for more than a few minutes, experts recommend wearing ear protection, such as foam earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs.

Foam earplugs are an affordable, portable option; they reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels, according to WebMD. Earmuffs, which cover the entire ear, provide similar protection and can be worn with earplugs for added protection. Some earplugs are designed to reduce sound evenly across all frequencies, making them ideal for musicians or anyone who wants a clearer but quieter sound.

Get your hearing checked regularly

Just like dental cleanings or eye exams, regular hearing checks are an important part of maintaining overall health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged 50 to 64 have their hearing examined by a specialist every five years.

Hearing testing is especially important for people who have a family history of hearing loss, notice difficulty hearing conversations, are exposed to high levels of noise, often hear tinnitus, or have no history of previous testing.

 

Your healthcare provider will assess how well your hearing is functioning and check for any early signs of hearing loss.

Avoid smoking

Smoking doesn't just affect your lungs and heart — it can also damage your hearing. According to a study conducted by the NIH, current smokers are 61 percent more likely to have widespread hearing loss than nonsmokers.

The same study also found that ex-smokers who quit for more than five years had a risk of disease almost as low as people who had never smoked.

Be aware of age-related ear conditions

Although hearing loss is common with age, it is not the only hearing problem.

Conditions like tinnitus, which typically peaks between the ages of 60 and 69, can also develop, according to AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). Tinnitus causes persistent sounds like ringing, hissing, buzzing, or whistling in the ears.

Most cases involve sensorineural hearing loss, the type that usually occurs with age. While there is no cure, a variety of treatments can help reduce the impact of symptoms.