According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.” During the spring months, you may be especially subjected to loud noise levels and other risks to your hearing. We review tips for avoiding hearing loss this spring below.
Power Tools
As the weather improves, you’ll want to get your yard back in shape. This means mowing the lawn and blowing away debris. However, it’s important to know that, without adequate protection, these activities can be dangerous for your hearing. The experts at The ENT Center of Central Georgia recommend wearing earplugs or earmuffs. This will also help prevent yard debris from ending up in your ears and causing an infection or impaction.
Swimming
Warmer weather also means you may venture out swimming at the local pool or other body of water. When you’re done, it’s essential that you get the water out of your ears, or else you can end up with a painful infection known as swimmer’s ear. To do this, you can tilt your head to one side while gently tugging on your earlobe, use a towel to dry out the ear canal or run a hairdryer on the lowest, coolest setting pointed toward your ear. Never use cotton swabs to try to dry the ears. You can also wear earplugs or a swim cap while swimming to prevent water from getting in, in the first place.
Wind
Another danger to your ears is wind, particularly in cold, wet conditions. Another type of infection, where you can develop bony growths that cause hearing loss, is called surfer’s ear. Surfer’s ear can develop as a result of these conditions without proper protection. Again, earplugs or a swim cap can help prevent this infection.
For more information on protecting your hearing or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call The ENT Center of Central Georgia today.
