Hearing Center: Making The Most of Your Ears

When you buy a new microwave or a new car, one of the first things on your mind is how long you can get them to last. These things can be expensive, after all, and it doesn't make sense to keep replacing them year after year. But while people are all about finding tips and tricks to get a few more years out of their old jalopy, they are far less interested in what they can do to extend their only set of ears. Unless you want to be looking into a hearing center near you for all of the assistive devices you can find, you should probably take steps towards making your ears last. Here are three things you can do that will help you get the most out of your ears. Workplace Protection If you work in a quiet office, you probably don't need to do much in the way of protecting your ears. If you work security at a major arena, however, you probably do. Don't just assume that everything will be okay. Even if your ears aren't ringing after a day filled with lawn mowing, you could still be doing long-term damage to your ears. Wear the proper protection. And remember that protection from loud environmental noise doesn't mean strapping on an iPod and blasting the music until the environmental noise is drowned out. Earplugs are much preferred. Avoid Self Exposure While workplace damage is certainly a real threat, many people bring auditory loss on themselves. When a hearing center interviews a full day's worth of potential clients, a decent percentage of them know exactly why their ears aren't in the shape they used to be. Much of the damage comes from recreational activities. And this doesn't just mean going to rock concerts without wearing earplugs. It can mean hunting, shooting at a gun range, snowmobiling, jet skiing and more. Your ears don't care about the source of the noise -- only the decibel level. If you're going to be around loud volumes, make sure you are protected. Visit a Hearing Center If you work in a noisy environment or are constantly subjecting yourself to recreational activities that include loud volumes, take the time to get your ears checked. Make sure that your ability to hear hasn't already been compromised. Discuss the volume levels you're being exposed to with a doctor in the field. If you can detect loss of your auditory senses early, you can take steps now to protect your ears from further damage.