Colwyn Bay Hearing Practice have recently expanded to add Chester to their already existing clinic lists in Colwyn Bay, Anglesey and Mold. They will be offering a wide range of audiology services here at Beehive.
We wanted to share some of their handy tips on how to look after those valuable hearing tools.
Hearing loss or impairment affects a large number of people and it is not always possible to prevent it. However, small steps towards maintaining good ear health are still beneficial for the future and often neglected.
Here are 6 simple steps you can follow to keep your ears as healthy as possible.
1. Turn that volume down.
It is known that a sound over 85 decibels, which is equivalent to a garden lawnmower, can cause hearing loss. If that exposure if frequent then there can be lasting effects. If you know the sounds will be above this level then make sure you wear ear protectors. There are also sound metre apps available to download onto your phone that can help you to measure the sound around you.
One of the best ways to reduce the chances of hearing loss is to avoid the loud noise in the first place. Whether that’s the TV, radio or sounds around the home. Not being able to hear what people are saying and needing to raise your voice to talk are signs that you need to turn down the volume. Pay particular attention to the volume when wearing headphones - more on this below.
2. Stop putting things inside your ears!
It’s fine to clean the outside of your ears using a damp cloth or cotton wool but avoid cleaning the inside. Your ears are naturally self-cleaning so putting items in the ears can increase the risk of ear infections and damage.
Make sure ear plugs and in-ear headphones are cleaned before use. If you are worried that your ears may be blocked with wax, talk to a healthcare professional first. They may prescribe a softening solution or recommend microsuction ear wax removal.
3. Protect your ears at live events
We all know that music at a nightclub, festival or gig is at a very high volume. It’s important that you protect your ears when attending anything like these. Of course you want to enjoy the event so take steps to minimise the impact.
Aim to stay away from the speakers as this tends to be the loudest area and take a break to give your ears a rest as often as you can. Using hearing protection such as re-usable earplugs that will not muffle the music but help make it quieter and more comfortable for your ears can also be an option.
4. Be sensible when using personal headphones
One of the biggest risks to hearing loss is one people often ignore or don't think about.
Listening to loud music through your personal headphones.
Even small steps can make a big difference to avoid damaging your hearing in this instance. It’s recommended that you don’t play music at higher than 60% volume and try not to use them for more than an hour at a time. Luckily most smartphones now have built in sound limiters which means you know when you’ve got your music turned up too loud. It will notify you and help you to maintain an appropriate level.
You could also choose headphones that use noise-cancelling technology, for example. These cancel out background sounds and ensure your ears feel comfortable.
5. Reduce your hearing risks at work
Every workplace is different, so if you are exposed to loud noise at work, ensure you speak with your manager or HR department about relevant regulations and processes.
Ensure you’re provided with the right hearing protection and make sure you wear it.
6. Get your hearing tested
If you’re concerned about your hearing or hearing loss, take action and get in-touch with a hearing professional. Our experienced Audiologist at Colwyn Bay Hearing Practice, now based at Beehive, can help to advise you on any hearing issue including hearing tests and examinations.
You only get one pair of ears- take good care of them!
Adrian Dowling - Audiologist and Owner of Colwyn Bay Hearing Practice.
Adrian is a very experienced audiologist with knowledge in all aspects of audiometry.
He joined his family practice, Colwyn Bay Hearing Practice, in 1991, having trained at The Royal National ENT Hospital in London and is now the owner and Director.
Adrian is passionate about supporting his local community and has previously been a Governor for over a decade at Ysgol y Gogarth, supporting the school with a special interest in autism.
