Take care of your ears
Your ears are delicate organs, so you must take care of them. If you do, you can probably prevent hearing loss caused by excessive noise or intrusion by foreign objects.
Following is some good advice about preventing hearing loss.
Noise:
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Be aware of noise in your workplace. The sound level must not exceed 85 dB. If it does, reduce the noise level or wear ear protectors.
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Lower the volume of your television, personal stereo or MP3 player. Don't play them too loudly and take special care if you use headphones. You must also take care when using the car stereo. It is common to turn up the volume in the car because of noise from the engine and the wind.
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Wear ear plugs if you go to rock concerts or night clubs. Take a break so your ears can rest, and do not stand close to loudspeakers.
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Wear headphones if you use noisy equipment such as drills, lawnmowers, etc.
Foreign objects:
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Do not use cotton wool. It may push wax down onto your eardrum and can increase the production of wax and/or damage the eardrum.
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Do not put fingers or towels in your ears. They can also push wax down onto your eardrum and can damage your skin.
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Unclean water can cause ear infections which may result in hearing loss.
Diseases and inflammations
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Especially children are often affected by inflammation of the ear, oftentimes caused by bacteria. These inflammations have to be taken seriously and treated immediately.
Some children’s diseases such as measles, pertussis and mumps can cause hearing loss. Parents are advised to inform themselves about the benefits of vaccination.
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