Hearing Loss: Prevention

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Prevention

You can prevent some types of hearing loss.

Noise-related hearing loss

Being exposed to loud noise over and over is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss. It usually develops slowly and without pain or other symptoms, and you may not notice that you have hearing loss until it is severe.

Steps you can take to lower your risk of noise-induced hearing loss include the following:

• Be aware of and avoid harmful noise. You can be exposed to harmful noise at work, at home, and in many other settings. This exposure builds up over time and can result in ear damage and hearing loss. Harmful noise can come from commonly used tools such as power lawn mowers and snowblowers or from activities such as riding motorcycles and snowmobiles. Know what kinds of situations can generate harmful noise levels, and avoid these situations whenever possible. For information about recommended noise limits and hearing protection in workplaces in the United States, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.)
• Use hearing protectors. If you know you are going to be around harmful noise, wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs. Cotton balls or tissues stuffed in the ears do not offer much protection. When used correctly, hearing protectors can go a long way in reducing the level of sound that reaches the ear. Lawn mowers, power tools, and some basic household appliances can damage your hearing if you do not wear hearing protectors.
• Control the volume when you can. Don't buy noisy toys, appliances, or tools when there are quieter alternatives. Reduce the noise in your life by turning down the volume on the stereo, television, or car radio, and especially on personal listening devices with earphones.

Do not wait until you notice a hearing loss to start protecting yourself from harmful noise. After noise-related damage to the ear is done, it cannot be reversed. But if you already have some noise-related hearing loss, it is not too late to prevent further damage and preserve the hearing that you still have.

Other preventable causes of hearing loss

To lower your risk of injury-related, medicine-related (ototoxic), and other types of hearing loss:

• Never stick a cotton swab, hairpin, or other object in your ear to try to remove earwax or to scratch your ear. In general, the best way to prevent earwax problems is to leave earwax alone. For information on how to remove hardened wax, see the topic Earwax.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor whether the medicine you are taking may cause hearing loss (ototoxic medicine). If you develop a new hearing problem while taking medicine, tell your doctor.
• Always blow your nose gently and through both nostrils.
• During air travel, swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is landing. If you have an upper respiratory problem (such as a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection), take a decongestant a few hours before landing or use a decongestant spray just before landing.
• Learn and practice proper underwater descent techniques if you are going to scuba dive.
• Always wear your seat belt in the car, and wear a helmet when you bike, ski, or skate. These habits can lower your risk of head and ear injury.
• Stop smoking. You are more likely to have hearing loss if you smoke.

Signs of noise-induced hearing loss are appearing at earlier ages and in children.⁵ Be sure your child has regular hearing exams and follows the above suggestions to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

Evaluate your hearing by taking a hearing loss self-test.

Last updated:	April 30, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC