The Coach SpaceHearing is something we often take for granted—until it starts to fade. Many people unknowingly engage in habits that harm their ears, leading to long-term damage. The good news? With a few simple changes, you can protect your hearing for years to come. Here are some common hearing health mistakes and what to do instead.
1. Playing Music Too Loud Through Headphones
The Mistake: Blasting music through headphones at full volume is one of the fastest ways to damage your hearing. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds—especially in-ear headphones—can cause irreversible hearing loss.
What to Do Instead: Follow the 60/60 rule: Keep the volume below 60% and limit listening time to 60 minutes at a stretch. Investing in noise-cancelling headphones can also help, as they block background noise so you don’t have to turn up the volume.
2. Ignoring Ringing in Your Ears (Tinnitus)
The Mistake: If you experience ringing, buzzing, or whistling in your ears, you might brush it off as nothing serious. But tinnitus is often an early warning sign of hearing damage.
What to Do Instead: Pay attention to your ears! If tinnitus persists, take a break from noisy environments and lower your exposure to loud sounds. If it continues, consult a hearing specialist, or visit a hearing solutions clinic, for an evaluation.
3. Using Cotton Buds to Clean Your Ears
The Mistake: Cotton buds might seem like the best way to clean out earwax, but they often do more harm than good. Instead of removing wax, they push it deeper into the ear canal, which can lead to blockages and even infections.
What to Do Instead: Let your ears clean themselves naturally—wax usually works its way out on its own. If you have excessive buildup, use ear drops to soften it or visit a professional for safe removal.
4. Skipping Ear Protection in Loud Environments
The Mistake: Whether you’re at a concert, nightclub, or working with loud machinery, exposing your ears to high-decibel sounds without protection can permanently damage your hearing.
What to Do Instead: Always wear earplugs in loud environments. There are high-fidelity earplugs available that reduce noise levels while still allowing you to enjoy music or conversations. If you work in a noisy setting, take regular breaks in quieter areas.
5. Not Taking Breaks from Noise Exposure
The Mistake: Constant exposure to loud environments, whether from city noise, work, or entertainment, puts strain on your ears.
What to Do Instead: Give your ears regular quiet breaks. Spending time in a silent environment helps them recover. If you work in a noisy place, step away to quieter areas when possible.
Signs You Should Get a Hearing Test
Are you debating whether you really need a hearing test? Most of the time, hearing loss doesn’t just happen overnight. It can progress slowly and to the point where you don’t notice straight away. This means that the signs aren’t always as obvious as you think until things get bad. So, let’s take a look at some indications that a hearing test would be beneficial so that you can catch things early.
Group Conversations are Hard
Do you find it difficult to tune into group conversations? Perhaps everything sounds muffled, and you can’t seem to pick up what anybody’s saying. Instead, you end up sitting out of the conversation and not being able to join in. Know that this isn’t something that you have to deal with. It could be a sign that you’re struggling with your hearing. Getting evaluated by a professional will make sure you can get support and see if you need a hearing aid.
Getting Discus@sions Wrong
You might be in a situation where you’re answering people incorrectly. Maybe you were convinced they were saying something, just for it to be another topic. In this case, you’re going to benefit from a hearing test. Without realising it, you could be guessing what people are saying and this is what’s leading to a breakdown in communication.
Struggling with the Television
Are you constantly having to put the volume up on the television or watch with subtitles? It could be your hearing that’s the culprit. Instead of having to put up with this and getting frustrated, it’s a lot easier to book a hearing test. They can let you know exactly what’s going on with your hearing and whether you would benefit from support.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is often preventable, but only if you take proactive steps. Lower your headphone volume, protect your ears in loud environments, and avoid harmful cleaning habits. Most importantly, listen to your body—if you notice changes in your hearing, don’t ignore them.
By making small changes today, you can keep your ears healthy for years to come. If you’re unsure about your hearing health, consider booking a check-up to stay ahead of any potential issues.
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