Do you struggle with hearing conversations or important sounds? You're not alone. Hearing loss is a huge problem, and the WHO projects that 2.5 billion people will suffer hearing loss to some degree by the year 2050.
Hearing loss prevention is a big deal for seniors, even if their hearing has already gotten worse. It's a painful sign of degrading physical health and can present obstacles in the way of living independently. When it comes to aging and hearing care, what can seniors do to preserve their hearing?
Regardless of the condition of your hearing, it's never too late to protect it. Today, we'll discuss the top tips for hearing conservation during one's advanced age in Rock Hill, SC.
While hearing can naturally decline with old age, many elderly people have excellent hearing. Hearing loss has a lot more to do with one's noise environment throughout their life. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs from exposure to sounds above a certain decibel level for too long, causing permanent hearing damage.
The CDC says that people shouldn't be exposed to 85 decibels for longer than 8 hours a day. A lawnmower or vacuum, for example, sits near this level. Something that's only a few decibels louder in sound (such as 88 decibels) can only be endured for four hours before permanent hearing loss.
The primary issue is so-called "noise pollution." Noise pollution refers to how our cities are "polluted" with sound that is too loud for our delicate ears. People often live in cities where they are blasted with sounds 85 decibels and above for longer than eight hours a day, causing lifelong, gradual hearing loss.
Aside from avoiding noisy environments entirely, there's really only one thing you can do: wear hearing protection. Whether it's a noisy family feud game on the activity calendar or going to a concert, you need to use earplugs. This goes double for extremely loud sounds like buzzsaws or ratchet drills.
Noise-canceling headphones are also helpful. These Bluetooth listening devices actively remove loud, bothersome frequencies for quiet music listening. Although they aren't dedicated ear protection, they work for enjoying music in loud environments.
Those concerned about their senior hearing health should get in the habit of always carrying around earplugs and/or noise-canceling headphones. It can be a pain having to put in earplugs at loud social gatherings, but your ears will thank you. You'll have sharper, more acute hearing for longer.
Saying that hearing loss prevention comes down to wearing earplugs oversimplifies the issue. What are some things that a senior can do, generally, to protect their delicate ears? Let's look at a couple.
Above all else, the most important thing you can do is be conscious of your noise exposure at all times of the day. Whether you're on your Rock Hill community block or out in the city, keep track of the decibel levels. Either take note of sounds that seem too loud for you or keep a decibel measuring device on your person.
Perhaps the easiest and most convenient way of doing this is by buying a smartwatch. Many smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, can display a decibel meter as a widget on the watch face. All you need to do is look at your wrist to see how loud your environment is.
If you've never cared for your hearing up until now, you might assume that "ear plugs" only refer to those foam ones used at shooting ranges. Not so. Spending a bit more money, you can get a pair that can be used every day, comfortably, for years.
A good pair of earplugs can be slipped in at a moment's notice. Most importantly, they're less conspicuous in your ears. They'll sport a nice case so you can throw them in a pocket or bag.
Better yet, get yourself a pair of pass-through earplugs. These are earplugs that, rather than completely blocking out sound, only block out the most harmful frequencies. An excellent example is the Loops earplugs.
Pass-through earplugs like Loops allow you to experience loud activities without missing out. So if you're at a noisy restaurant, for example, you can still take part in the conversation. It's perhaps the best way to protect your hearing without hurting your social life.
Are you a movie junkie or an audiophile? Then, there's one extra area where you need to be conscious of your hearing, and that's the volume of your media. Many people play their movies or listen to their music far louder than they should.
Aside from using the decibel meter on a smartwatch to see if the media's too loud, you can also listen with a pair of earbuds that gives you an accurate decibel reading. Apple AirPods, for example, will tell you when you've listened to music at volumes that are too loud for too long.
Take special care whenever you are away from home in a place where you can't control the volume. Movie theaters are a great example. Movies tend to be far too loud and may require those pass-through earplugs.
Above all else, listen to your body when it tells you it's had enough. You don't always need a precision decibel meter to determine that the noise environment you're in is too loud. Physical symptoms will manifest to give you an idea of when you should let your ears rest.
So, what symptoms will you have? Ringing ears and a headache are two good ones. Barring tinnitus, both are clear signs you've been exposed to loud sounds for too long.
Hearing loss prevention helps seniors experience life, given that we all live in noise-polluted environments. Be ever conscious of how loud your environment is, and take action to reduce the noise with earplugs. Barring that, listen to your body when it tells you it's had enough.
TerraBella Rock Hill in SC is a friendly community for seniors. Seniors can enjoy 24-hour professional care, a beautiful outdoor space, and a calendar filled with everyday events. Schedule a tour to see what Terra Bella has to offer you.