8 Tips for keeping your ears happy and healthy

There's no denying that our ears put up with a lot on a day-to-day basis. Loud music, air pollution, water, stress, and anxiety…the list goes on! But like many aspects of our health, our hearing is something we often take for granted. And if we’re not careful, ear and hearing damage can affect us for the rest of our lives.

Here are 8 tips to help keep your ears happy.

1. Use hearing protection

Covering your ears is good for more than just blocking out distracting group chats in the library.  It does a great deal to keep your ears safe too! When exposed to loud noise, particularly for long periods, use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears and ear drums. This isn’t limited to concerts or fireworks. Even using ear protection when mowing the lawn is beneficial to your ear and hearing health.

2. Take a break

Let your ears rest and recover after periods of exposure to loud noises. Whether this means removing yourself from noisy environments or turning the music off for a bit, it’s important that your ears aren’t overloaded and are given a chance to relax.

3. Avoid using cotton buds in your ears!

Be careful when inserting anything into your ears, as you can risk damaging your eardrum. Yes, it might feel nice, but anyone who has ever hurt their eardrum will tell you it’s definitely not worth the risk! If you have a rather large build-up of earwax (more on this later) you can pick up eardrops from a pharmacy that are much safer.

4. Turn it down!

Try to keep the volume down when listening to music, watching tv, or gaming. Once your hearing has deteriorated there’s no way of getting it back. Many devices now display how many decibels your volume is at and whether it’s considered a safe level, which is a great way to keep on top of your ear health. See how to view your decibel level for iPhone/iPad.

5. Earwax is normal

Yeah, really! A little bit of earwax can actually be beneficial to your ear and hearing health. It can prevent dust and other harmful particles from entering the ear canal and causing damage. If you’re experiencing an excessive amount of earwax, you can pick up eardrops from a pharmacy to safely remove it. It might also be worthwhile making an appointment with your GP to ensure there are no underlying issues at play.

6. Manage your stress

A build-up of stress can put pressure on your nerves and can result in a ringing or buzzing sensation known as tinnitus. Stress can be a difficult thing to manage, so why not check out some of our blogs related to university-related stress and burnout, graduation anxiety, and mental health? Add links here?

7. Apply sunscreen to your ears

This one is so obvious that it’s the easiest to forget. Your ears are just as important as the rest of your body and are susceptible to sun damage. Unfortunately, they’re also often left uncovered when wearing caps or thin-brimmed hats. So, when you’re being sun smart, don’t forget your ears.

8. Get your hearing tested

If you notice any changes in your ears or hearing, be sure to act as soon as possible to get them checked. Audiologists help patients across the age spectrum. They can easily be found with an online search and are even available via telehealth! So if in doubt, book in to see an expert.

When it comes to you ear and hearing health, early protection is important! A lack of ear and hearing care can have a lasting impact on your quality of life. So be kind to your ears by following these easy tips; you’ll be happy you did in the years to come!

Interested in a profession focused on ear and hearing health? Learn about Miriam's experiences of studying the UQ Master of Audiology Studies and her plans to be a practicing Audiologist.