What should you keep in mind to maintain healthy hearing? — Tips for healthy ears
It's not just musicians who need to pay special attention to their hearing health. Our sense of hearing is the gateway to ourenvironment—and we should protect it. But how can we do that?
It's not just a feast for the eyes
No—our ears, too, depend on a healthy diet.
In our article “5 Dietary Tips for Healthy Hearing,” we discussed some time ago how a balanced diet can support your hearing.
For example, we’ve learned that magnesium and vitamins are not only vital for our metabolism but can also help preserve our hearing. Toomuch sugar, on the other hand, is harmful to our entire body, and increased insulin secretion can lead todiabetes—which can often even result in hearing loss.
What are the 7 basic rules for protecting our hearing?
In addition to a healthy, balanced diet, there are a few simple basics that, when followed, can help protect our ears and our sense of hearing. We’ve compiled the top 7 of them here:
1. Hygiene
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Proper cleaning and care of our ears are, of course, part of good personal hygiene. As we’ve been telling young children for ages: “Always wash behind your ears.” We should wash the visible part of our ears and the area behind them regularly and gently. It’s best to use warm—not too hot—water and a mild soap or a gentle shower gel. Rinse with clean fingers and pat dry with a soft towel. Some manufacturers also offer ear cleaners in various forms.
In this context, however, it’s best to consult an ENT specialist, as some products—especially when used improperly—can actually do more harm than good. Our ears actually clean themselves. You can learn more about this in our article “Cleaning Your Ears.”
2. No cotton swabs
The second rule follows seamlessly from the previous one. Not everyone has caught on yet: cotton swabs damage our ear canals because, rather than removing earwax (also known as cerumen), they tend to push it deeper and pack it more tightly into the ear.
For professional cleaning of the ear canal, it’s best to visit an ENT specialist regularly. They can safely and effectively remove excess earwax. You’ll also find an article on our website aboutcotton swabs. And, of course, you can find the rightENT specialistnear you.
3. No Foreign Objects
If even the soft cotton swabs specifically designed for this purpose end up doing more harm than good, then the next basic rule is really quite obvious: Do not insert any foreign objects into the ear.
The inside of the ear is sensitive and can be easily damaged. Absentmindedly poking around in your ears with a pen—while, for example, pondering how to solve a problem—is not a good idea. In addition to the purely mechanical risk of injury, this also introduces dirt and bacteria into the ear canal. So—it’s best to keep your hands off, even if your ear itches. Instead, see an ENT doctor. They’ll perform an otoscopy or take a swab, and once the cause is identified, it can be treated.
4. Protect Your Hearing
One of the most important rules: If you’re in a loud or dusty environment, always use custom-fitted hearing protection or at least earplugs. Prolonged exposure to noise damages your hearing and your mental well-being. From simple foam earplugs to professional solutions—such as those for musicians or water sports enthusiasts—the range of options is as wide as the need to protect our hearing from noise. Consistently avoiding noise is the best way to actively prevent hearing damage.
5. Avoid submerging your ears
In the bathtub, bacteria from other parts of the body could enter the ear canal and cause an infection. Therefore, it’s best not to submerge your ears in the bathwater if you want to play it safe. After bathing, showering, or swimming, dry your ears thoroughly—either with a soft towel or gently with a hair dryer.
6. Optimize Your Workspace
Talk to your supervisor if you feel that your daily work routine or the workplace environment is harmful to your hearing. Bring this up with your employer, as they are legally required to assess the risks to your health and take corrective action if necessary. A simple rule can help with the initial assessment:
7. Avoid and Reduce Stress
In addition to noise, one of the main risk factors for hearing loss—and especially for tinnitus—is any form of stress. For the sake of our health, we should do our best to reduce or counteract it. Specific relaxation exercises, such as yoga and other physical activities, can be helpful in this regard. Especially in a very demanding daily life, where time pressure and the pressure to perform are common, it helps to focus on slowing down and practicing mindfulness. Often, taking a step back every now and then helps us make more progress.
In our article “The Zone of Total Silence,”you’ll also learn how to give your ears—and yourself—a little break, and why you should indulge your need for silence and inner peace.
Prevention also means taking action
Don’t hesitate. Even if you notice only a slight decline in your hearing, you should get a hearing test as soon as possible—regardless of the possible causes.
Visit your nearest hearing care professional and get expert advice on all matters related to your hearing. Of course, you can also try our online hearing test beforehand to check your hearing. Todetect hearing loss early, it’s advisable to have a hearing test performed regularly by an ENT doctor or hearing care professional, even if you don’t have any specific concerns. This is especially important as you get older. For this reason, the Federal Association of the Hearing Aid Industry and the Professional Association of ENT Physicians recommend regular hearing screenings starting at age 50. The earlier hearing problems are detected, the easier they are to treat, and potential complications can be avoided.
Therefore, in addition to following the basic guidelines we’ve listed and maintaining a generally healthy and mindful lifestyle, it’s also important to have your hearing checked regularly. Prevention is always a good idea.
