How to prevent tinnitus and protect your ears
Prevention is the best cure, right?
And when it comes to tinnitus, properly protecting your ears can go a long way towards stopping you getting tinnitus in the first place.
But first, you might want to know: what exactly is tinnitus? Simply put, it’s when you experience a ringing in one or both of your ears that’s not from an external source.
In this blog post, we’re going to look at all the ways you can practice tinnitus prevention and look after your ears. And learn how to prevent tinnitus from getting worse, if you already suffer from it.
First up…
1. Give infections the swerve
Tinnitus can be brought on by ear infections, which can be caused by a number of things.
Never use cotton buds to clean your ears – your ears are naturally self-cleaning. If earwax is an issue for you, simply talk to your doctor who will offer treatment, by recommending either olive oil drops or an extraction.
If you use earplugs or hearing aids, make sure you clean them regularly in line with their instructions.
When you feel any ear pain or feel vertigo, either of these could point to an ear infection. So make sure you’re checking in with your doctor or pharmacy to get to the root of the problem.
2. Try to avoid stress and anxiety
Tinnitus can sometimes occur when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. The best thing you can do is lead a balanced lifestyle.
Have a healthy work/life balance. Working too many hours can throw your mental health out of kilter. If you feel stress rising, take time for yourself to do something that relaxes you. Above all, remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
3. Use hearing protection
Protecting your ears is vital if you want to avoid tinnitus. And there are some great products out there to help you with this.
Wear earplugs if you’re going to be in a space where noise levels are at 85 dB or higher – anything at this level is unsafe for your ears.
Ear defenders are another great way to protect your ears, particularly if you work in a loud environment with heavy machinery, for example.
Don’t stand too close to speakers! You can still enjoy the music – perhaps even more so – from a safe distance.
You don’t have to suffer with loud noise levels; always come prepared to look after your ears.
4. Enjoy personal listening, but safely
If you listen to music or books through headphones, make sure the level is always safe.
Don’t turn the volume up to compensate for other loud external sounds. Your ears adjust to the level you’re listening to, so although it may seem quiet at first, your ears will soon get used to the level. If you’re listening on a smartphone you can use a limiter – and never turn the volume up higher than the green section.
The main thing to remember is not to overcompensate. We all like to drown out the noise sometimes, but not at the risk of ringing ears.
5. Give your ears a rest!
Sounds simple, but it’s incredibly effective. Your ears can cope better with noise if they’re given regular breaks. This will go a long way towards preventing tinnitus from creeping in.
Noisy household? Earplugs can help here to give you some peace and quiet.
Go for a walk in nature. The absence of loud noise will help to reset your mind and your ears.
Rest is restorative, so put your ears first!
Final thoughts
Tinnitus can be a highly annoying condition to suffer from. And although it can often go away by itself, it’s easy to follow these simple rules to help prevent getting tinnitus, or making it even worse. Be consistent, be vigilant, and make the most of the ear-protecting tools that are at your disposal.
And earplugs don’t have to be clunky and unfashionable! Here at Loop, they’re iconic and sound-enhancing, so you never have to miss out on the sounds you love.
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