1 – Set a Volume Limit and Stick to it: We tend to want to increase the volume when listening to music. This in turn can create hearing loss. Most phones and portable music players allow us to set a maximum listening volume. Set this to a reasonable volume.
2 – Protect Your Hearing at Clubs and Concerts: If you partake in concerts and clubbing, it may be worthwhile to purchase musician earplugs. They usually contain filters that allow through some of the sounds while blocking some of the harmful frequencies.
3 – Noise Cancelling Headphones: Noise-isolating headphones physically block outside noise and can allow you to listen at a lower volume. If you are listening to music in a very loud area and want to protect your hearing, these are often the best option.
4 – Speakers Instead of Headphones: If possible, try to listen to music using a good set of speakers instead of always relying on headphones. It’s far easier to keep the volume at an acceptable level when you are listening through a set of speakers.
5 – Give Your Ears a Break: Continuous exposure to noise can lead to permanent hearing loss. The best solution is to give your ears a break from all the noise.
The take home message is that we are not invincible and taking simple steps in preserving our hearing can make a big difference in the long run. If you are interested in Musician earplugs or more information on how to protect your hearing, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at the Hearing Institute of Ontario.
