New Year’s Resolutions for Better Hearing Health
With 2025 around the corner, many of us begin to reflect on 2024 and begin thinking about how we are going to improve our lives in the New Year. New Year’s resolutions often include increasing exercise or fitness, saving money or improving your diet. However, it is equally important to think about our hearing health during this time. As we enter 2025, make a commitment to prioritise your hearing health. Here are some practical ways you can stay on top of your hearing and ear health this year.
The number one way you can look after your hearing is to schedule regular hearing checks with your audiologist. If you are over the age of 50 or notice any changes in your hearing, it is important that you have your hearing tested once a year. Regular hearing checks can ensure early detection of any hearing loss or ear-related problems. When these hearing related concerns are detected early, your audiologist can effectively manage and treat these concerns. Make a resolution to book in your annual hearing check early this year and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
In 2025, make it a goal to always protect your ears. Whether you are in loud environments such as near a construction site, at a concert or sporting event, you should wear always wear hearing protection. Speak with your audiologist about what hearing protection they recommend you invest in. This will be a small price to pay to prevent long-term, irreversible hearing damage. It is also important to be mindful of loud sounds that you can control such as keeping the volume to a moderate level when listening to the radio, television or music through earphones.
In the New Year period, it is common to find yourself in noisy environments such as parties, restaurants and loud celebrations with music. Make a resolution to limit your overall exposure to loud sounds. When you are at noisy events, make a conscious effort to take breaks from the noise by going to a quiet area or stand away from loudspeaker. Giving your ears a rest can help to protect your hearing.
When it comes to protecting your hearing, knowledge is power. Noise induced hearing loss is not only caused by how loud sound is, but also how long it was heard for. Dedicate time to learning about how long and how loud you can be listening to certain sounds. It can be helpful to speak with your audiologist about recommendations and tips to make better choices regarding your hearing health.
Lastly, this year, remember to practice good ear hygiene. Many people believe they need to clean the inside of their ears for them to be hygienic. However, this is not the case. Your ear canal has the impressive ability to push ear wax out of the ear on its own and we need ear wax to trap debris and foreign objects that should not go further into the ear. Your job is to keep the outer clean. You can use a soft washcloth after your shower to wipe the outside of the ear and behind the ear. Cotton swabs should never be used inside the ear. Pushing cotton bud into the ear canal can push ear wax deeper into the ear canal causing a blockage of ear wax or very painfully burst the ear drum. If you experience excessive ear wax build up or blocked ears, you should consult your audiologist for safe and effective ear wax removal by a professional.
As you welcome in 2025, consider making New Year’s resolutions that will prioritise your ear health and hearing. Making these changes can ensure you are protecting your hearing and looking after your ears so that you can listen effectively, communicate with other and connect with the environment around you. Happy New Year from your audiologists at Focus Hearing!
Focus Hearing is your local independent audiology clinic in Crow’s Nest, Erina (Central Coast), Mona Vale (Northern Beaches) and surrounding areas, dedicated to providing individualised hearing solutions. Contact us today on 8402 1202 for expert guidance, comprehensive evaluations, and personalised care. Let us help you on your journey to a healthier, happier life. Reach out now and discover the difference exceptional hearing care can make!
