Holiday gift lists can get a little long. With all the time you spend finding the perfect gift for each of your loved ones, it’s important not to forget yourself. Let’s look at a few gifts that not only make you smile but also help protect your ears from damage.
1. Over-The-Ear Headphones
Noise-induced hearing loss affects approximately 26 million adults aged 20 to 69, and loud music is a significant contributor to that high number.
While you don’t need to stop jamming out to your favorite songs, picking the right headphones is crucial to keeping your ears safe. With in-the-ear headphones, sound from your environment can feel disruptive, causing you to raise your music to unsafe levels. Over-the-ear headphones block out a little more of that noise, allowing you to lower the volume.
If you prefer not to wear over-the-ear headphones, a portable speaker played at a low volume is another alternative.
2. Earplugs
Earplugs aren’t just for construction sites and concerts at Friends On The Hill. Though they’re crucial for protecting your ears in those environments, they can also help you sleep better and limit exposure to loud noises, like lawn mowers and leaf blowers, at home. Two good options include:
- Pre-molded. Pre-molded earplugs are available in plastic, silicone and rubber. These earplugs range from shallow options that are comfortable for sleeping to high-fidelity models with special filters for enjoying audio without hurting your ears.
- Custom. Custom earplugs are designed to fit your ear perfectly for superior protection. You will need to get an earmold for them.
3. A Hearing Test
Hearing tests establish a baseline, allowing your provider to track changes over time and support earlier treatment if hearing loss develops. While a trip to your audiologist may not seem like the most exciting way to treat yourself, think of it like setting yourself up for a future where you can enjoy the music and conversations you love.
We’re here to protect your hearing and offer help when you need it. Contact us at The ENT Center of Central Georgia today to schedule your first hearing test with one of our specialists.
