Sound Choices for Lifelong Hearing Health

Getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your hearing. While age-related hearing changes are common, significant hearing loss isn’t a normal part of aging, and it can impact your safety, social life, and cognitive health. The good news? Most noise-related hearing loss can be prevented.

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) happens gradually for many people as they grow older and typically affects both ears equally, making it harder to hear higher-pitched sounds or follow conversations in noisy settings.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by loud sounds damaging the delicate structures of the inner ear. It can happen after a one-time exposure to an extremely loud noise, like an explosion, or gradually after years of listening to loud noises.

Who’s at Risk?

Noise-induced hearing loss can affect anyone, but you may be at higher risk if you:

  • Work in loud environments, like construction sites or factories
  • Regularly attend concerts or listen to music at high volumes
  • Use power tools or loud equipment at home
  • Participate in loud activities, like hunting or snowmobiling

Signs of Hearing Loss

Early signs of hearing loss can be easy to miss. Pay attention if:

  • Speech and other sounds seem muffled
  • You have trouble hearing in noisy settings or over the phone
  • You often ask others to repeat themselves
  • You hear ringing or buzzing in your ears
  • You need to turn up the TV or radio

If any of these sound familiar, schedule a hearing test. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, especially in one ear, seek medical care right away.

How to Protect Your Hearing

Noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that’s completely preventable. Here’s how to keep your ears safe:

  • Turn it down: Keep personal audio devices at 60% volume or lower.
  • Use protection: Wear earplugs or earmuffs during loud activities like concerts or yard work.
  • Create distance: Step away from loud sound sources whenever possible.
  • Protect young ears: Help children avoid loud environments and model good listening habits.

Protecting your hearing means protecting your quality of life. Taking precautions today can help you preserve cognitive function, reduce social isolation and improve your mental health.

Sources: cdc.gov, my.clevelandclinic.org, nidcd.nih.gov