Why Looking After Your Hearing is Important

Our hearing is one of our most vital senses. It connects us with the world, facilitates communication, and plays a key role in safety and well-being. In today’s noisy world, protecting your hearing is more important than ever. At Knox Audiology, we care about protecting your hearing from damage. This blog explains why caring for your hearing matters and offers practical tips for maintaining optimal hearing health.

The Value of Hearing

Hearing enriches our lives – from the laughter of loved ones to the calming sounds of nature. Beyond simple enjoyment, it is essential for effective communication, helping us pick up on subtle cues, follow instructions, and detect potential dangers like an approaching vehicle or fire alarm. Moreover, untreated hearing loss has been linked to social isolation1, depression, and even cognitive decline2, making it crucial not only for enjoying life’s moments but also for maintaining mental health.

The Risks of Neglecting Your Hearing

Ignoring early signs of hearing loss can have lasting consequences. While age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is natural, it can worsen with prolonged exposure to loud noises—whether from busy workplaces, loud music, or daily environmental sounds. Excessive noise damages the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, and once they’re lost, they cannot regenerate. Early symptoms such as difficulty following conversations in crowded areas or persistent tinnitus should be taken seriously, as early intervention can prevent further deterioration.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Hearing

You can take several measures to care for your hearing:

1. Limit Exposure to Loud Noises: Avoid high-noise environments when possible. If you’re at a concert, construction site, or similar setting, use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sound intensity.

2. Keep the Volume Down: When using headphones or earbuds, listen at moderate volumes—just enough to be aware of ambient sounds. Noise-cancelling headphones can help you avoid turning up the volume in noisy settings.

3. Follow the 60/60 Rule: The World Health Organization advises limiting personal audio device use to 60 minutes at a time and keeping the volume at no more than 60% of maximum. Many smartphones now offer sound exposure monitoring, helping you avoid risky listening behaviours.

4. Take Regular Breaks: Give your ears a rest by stepping away from continuous noise exposure, especially during long periods of headphone use or in open-plan offices.

5. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking support cardiovascular health, ensuring that your ears receive the oxygen and nutrients they need.

When to See an Audiologist

Even with careful preventive measures, regular hearing check-ups remain important. An audiologist can detect early signs of hearing loss and advise on the best actions. Most audiologists recommend annual hearing assessments for adults over 60, especially for those exposed to industrial noise or already experiencing some loss. Early intervention—whether through custom-fitted hearing protection or hearing aids—can significantly preserve your hearing health.

Embracing a Future with Better Hearing

Taking care of your hearing today means enjoying a better quality of life tomorrow. With our increasingly noisy environment, proactive hearing protection is not just a health priority but an investment in your future.

At Knox Audiology, we are dedicated to educating our community on hearing care and providing personalised services to keep your hearing in optimal condition.

Remember, your hearing is a precious asset, and in many circumstances, damage to it is avoidable. Hearing is a gift to be cherished, and taking steps to protect it will allow you to continue enjoying all of life’s sounds. If you have any concerns or need advice on protective measures, don’t hesitate to consult an audiologist.

If you’d like to learn more about protecting your hearing, book an appointment with Knox Audiology by calling us on 03 9800 5697 or contact us.to organise your visit.

2 Myrstad, Christian et al. (2023) Hearing impairment and risk of dementia in The HUNT Study (HUNT4 70+): a Norwegian cohort study ClinicalMedicine, Volume 66, 102319