Protect your ears

This morning as I was taking the children to school we saw a man on a riding lawn-mower. He was mowing his yard with head phones on. One of the younger children inquired about what he might be listening to. I told them I was not so sure it was for music but most likely was to help him protect his hears from the loud noise. Hearing is vitally important and we should do what we can to protect it.

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There are many reasons that hearing loss may occur. Reasons from health, genetic, and environmental causes. Environmental reasons may be caused by repeated long term exposure to loud, high decibel noises that leads to hearing loss. The last reason can often be avoided. Today, is Save Your Hearing Day and also a great opportunity to share with those you love and learn a bit for yourself about how to avoid hearing loss.

May 31st is the anniversary of a special concert played in England. It was the Who and they played at the Charlton Athletic Grounds in 1976. The concert would and is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest rock band ever. The concert noise was measured at 76,000 watts and 120 decibels.

There are a few ways that you can help protect your hearing.

• Protect your ears from excessive noise exposure. Reducing exposure to extremely loud noise if possible will help drastically reduce hearing loss. Some examples include gunfire, power tools, jet engines, explosives, rock concert, and large sporting events
• When you can not avoid loud noises then the next best thing to do is to wear earplugs, earmuffs or something else to protect your ears. The tiny hair cells in the inner ear are sensitive to loud noises and if those hair cells are damaged a permanent hear loss can occur
• Household appliances and sounds that we are exposed to daily may be too loud. Blenders, hair dryers, food processors, vacuum cleaners and even children's toys are items that we should examine and check for decibel levels before we purchase
• Never clean your ears by sticking foreign objects into your ear. This may lead to ear infection and / or injury to the ear. Physical injury to your ear may result in hearing loss. 
• Ear infections known as Otitis media are located in the middle ear. This is more common in children but can occur in adulthood as well. Frequent ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss Leaving an ear infection left untreated for extended time can damage the ear further. If an ear infection is present see a doctor for treatment a.s.a.p
• antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy and aspirin can also affect the ears. The medications listed are known as ototoxic medications and are toxic to the ear. Is there an alternative medication that can be used. 
• Smoking tobacco has been linked to hearing loss. Secondhand smoke is included.

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