The number of Australians with hearing loss is increasing every year, with one in six already affected. Two of the main contributing factors of hearing loss are ageing and exposure to loud noises. But looking after your health in general will also go a long way to maintaining healthy hearing. Let’s have a look at some of the other causes of hearing loss and what you can do to look after your hearing.
Headphones
Did you know that playing loud music through headphones could be just as harmful to your ears as going to a rock concert? Research shows that seven per cent of 18–34 year old Australians suffer from ringing in their ears. The rise of personal music devices may see that figure rise even higher in the near future.
Prolonged exposure to volumes of 100 decibels or more does damage to the tiny hairs in your inner ear, which will eventually lead to hearing loss.
Tip: If you can’t hear someone talking to you when you are wearing headphones, your music may be too loud. It is recommended that you listen to audio devices at 60 per cent of the maximum volume and not for more than 60 minutes a day.
Smoking
Smoking doesn’t just damage your lungs – it can also affect your hearing. A study suggests that heavy smokers are 1.7 times more likely to suffer hearing loss than non-smokers. The study also showed that second-hand smoke could be a cause of hearing loss, especially for those who live with smokers.
Tip: Don’t smoke. Or be mindful of others and smoke outside.
Lawn mowers
When it comes to maintaining your lawn and garden, lawn mowers are a must, but those good old grass-cutters can be noisy. Lawn mowers have noise levels between 87–94 decibels. Using lawn mowers regularly has the potential to cause hearing problems.
Tip: Always use hearing protection, such as earphones or earplugs, when using a lawn mower.
Diet
According to the Australian Tinnitus Association (ATA), around 18 per cent of Australians have had tinnitus at some stage in their lives. Tinnitus is when someone has a ringing sound in their ears, even when no other sounds are present.
Foods that are high in salt (sodium) and sugar, such as chips, frozen or processed foods, lollies and soft drinks, can affect fluid retention and may contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
Tip: Avoid eating too much junk food. Fresh is best.
*Decibels are units used to measure the loudness of sound
