Some of us love live music, others stick cotton swabs in our ears to “clean” them (which has its own dangers), and many of us refuse to wear our hearing aids or use ear protection. We’re human, and it’s okay! We make mistakes here and there. However, there are several habits we may be unaware of that are damaging our ears.

It can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to break a habit. Replacing the bad habit with new ones, such as annually visiting an audiologist for a hearing check up can help you overcome bad hearing habits. As your local ear specialists of Omaha, Active Hearing Health is here to be a friend and help keep your hearing healthy. Below are six habits that harm your hearing.

Using cotton swabs

Cotton swabs do not actually clean our ears. In fact,  they make the problem worse. It’s common for people to want to clean their ears with cotton swabs, but they end up pushing the earwax even deeper, and you can even puncture your eardrum. It’s best to get your ears professionally cleaned if you are experiencing hearing issues related to clogged ears. Ears do clean themselves, but sometimes they need a little bit of help.

Not wearing hearing protection or hearing aids

We understand that adapting to hearing aids can be difficult at first. It’s important to wear them if you need them. Hearing properly ensures your overall well-being. We often don’t think that activities such as mowing a lawn or riding a motorcycle can damage our ears. If you have trouble hearing after a task such as mowing your lawn, it’s important to see a professional right away to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Consider wearing earplugs or earmuffs during certain activities to reduce the amount of noise.

Listening to loud music

Any sound level above 70 dB for a long period of time can damage your hearing. When attending live music festivals and shows, stay a safe distance away from the speakers. It is also beneficial to keep your headphone volume to a minimum and to not use headphones all the time. Many companies create earplugs specifically for festivals and shows, making it so you can continue enjoying the music and the surroundings without damaging your ears.

Too much exposure to loud noise

Certain jobs in the construction industry, military, and agriculture fields, as well as specific places, expose us to very loud decibel levels, many sounds above 80 dBs. Construction workers are susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss as they’re surrounded by heavy machinery and power tools every day. It’s necessary for construction workers to wear industrial-grade earplugs or earmuffs while on the job. Even living and walking in a big, busy city such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles can cause hearing loss. Wearing noise-canceling headphones while living or visiting a big city can benefit your hearing health in the long run.

Lack of exercise

Working out and participating in yoga and meditation each have their own benefits. Having a healthy body and mind will positively affect your hearing health. Heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions can put you at risk for hearing damage.

Drinking and smoking

We all know that cigarettes, vaping, and excessive drinking are  bad for us. An excessive amount of drinking can damage the brain’s central auditory cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for deciphering sounds. Smoking impacts our blood circulation, and the chemicals found in cigarettes and vapes can damage the hair cells in the inner ear; it also can cause tinnitus.

Don’t skip your hearing check with your ear specialists of Omaha

Your ear specialists of Omaha are here to help you. Don’t ignore signs that these habits may be damaging your ears. At your hearing consultation, we can perform a hearing check and discuss a treatment plan. If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, come see us today!