Protect your hearing with these tips. Plus, bonus insights!
Chainsaws, motorcycles and – surprisingly – earbuds. What does this list have in common? They are all items that can damage your hearing.
With so many of us popping in earbuds and logging in via Teams to join meetings or drowning out factory noise by listening to music, ear health is a new concern and one worth listening to. Even though earbuds are small in size, the damage they cause to your hearing can be life changing.
Hearing loss from earbuds is an example of a condition called noise-induced hearing loss. In addition to noise, other causes of hearing loss can include anything from age and genetics to medications, and chemicals.
It’s estimated that half of the cases of hearing impairment and deafness are preventable. Protect your hearing while you can. In honor of Save Your Hearing Day, May 31, 2021, here are some safe listening tips:
· Turn it down: If the music or speaker coming from your headphones is loud enough for others to hear, it could be damaging your hearing.
· Choose headphones over earbuds: The closer the sound source is to your eardrum, the more likely you are to experience hearing damage.
· Set a volume limit: Many phones and other devices allow the user to adjust the settings so there is a limit on the maximum volume. Check your user manual.
While we’re at it, let’s quickly review eye health since it’s also Healthy Vision Month. If you spend the workday in front of a monitor, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following:
· Keep your distance: Try keeping the monitor or screen at arm’s length, about 25 inches away.
· Reduce glare: Glass screens can produce a glare that aggravates your eyes. Try using a matte screen filter.
· Adjust lighting: If your screen is brighter than the surrounding light, your eyes must work harder to see. Adjust your room lighting and try increasing the contrast on your screen to reduce eye strain.
· Give your eyes a break: Remember to blink and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
· Keep eyes moist: Use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes when they feel dry.