Sound advice: 6 ways to safeguard your hearing

Tips to help prevent hearing loss

1. Stay safe from loud sounds

One clear and common cause of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises - whether from headphones, blaring televisions, or live concerts.

Dr Alexandra Moorhouse, Wellsoon, Practice Plus Group, UK explains that turning up your music louder than you need to doesn’t improve its clarity, and can actually damage your hearing.

"Loud noise exposure to music and TV over time is a common cause of hearing loss," she says. "Try not to have the volume higher than it needs to be on a regular basis.

"Similarly, positioning yourself too close to large speakers can be particularly harmful."

2. Shield your ears on the job

Exposure to loud noise at work or in noisy environments can also leave your ears vulnerable to damage.

"In some industries these are mandatory," she explains. "However, do not confuse ear defenders with noise-cancelling headphones. They are not intended as hearing protection devices, and do not provide any protection against loud environments."

3. Free yourself from wax

Moorhouse says that impacted ear wax is also a common issue in terms of impaired hearing - particularly in very young and elderly people.

"Our ears naturally become waxy, which is usually soft and orange-yellow," she describes. "But if you notice a build-up of harder wax associated with hearing issues then it might be that you have some wax blocking your ear canal."

"If this is not successful, then there are drops you can buy that help to break down the wax with bicarbonate," she adds. "Alternatively, a health professional can remove the wax from your ear with a small suction device which is also a very effective treatment."

4. Give up smoking for good

Certain chemicals found in cigarettes can damage the parts of your ear that transmit sound.

Moorhouse explains that smoking can reduce blood flow to your inner ear, harming the structures that rely on a healthy supply to function properly.

"There appears to be a dose-dependant relationship between smoking and hearing loss," she warns. "The more you smoke for longer, the higher your chances of hearing impairment."

5. Be mindful of medicines

Some medicines - and the amount you take - can negatively affect your hearing over the long term.

Moorhouse explains that aspirin is one example of this.

"Taking large doses of aspirin can lead to hearing loss," she says. "Ensure you do not exceed the recommended dosage. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor."

She adds that some studies suggest long-term, high doses of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines such ibuprofen may raise your chance of hearing loss, though a direct link hasn’t been proven.

Certain antibiotics used to treat infections may also be tied to hearing loss.

"If you have been treated with these antibiotics and noticed any hearing loss, then it is worth discussing this with your doctor," she advises.

6. Vaccinate for healthy hearing

Some viral infections can cause sudden hearing loss.

According to Moorhouse, these include illnesses such as mumps and measles, so staying up to date with vaccinations is important for prevention.

When and how often should people get hearing checks?

Children are routinely screened in early childhood for hearing issues that could affect their development. For adults, hearing loss becomes more common with age.

Moorhouse advises seeing your doctor, or attending a hearing test, if you notice any changes or issues with your hearing.

"If you are under 50 and normally fit and well, you could go 5-10 years between hearing tests providing you notice no change in your hearing," she says. "If you're over 50 you should get your hearing checked every 1-2 years or sooner if you notice any new symptoms."

She recommends that if you are fit and well but work in a noisy environment - such as a factory or construction site - then it is sensible to get your hearing checked every couple of years, even if you are entirely well.

"These types of tests relating to work place noise exposure can often be arranged via your employer," she adds.