How to protect our hearing

25dB is considered normal hearing, 25-40dB is considered mild hearing impairment. Hearing loss can lead to impairment in interaction, so we have to pay more attention to the hearing problems. If there is an abnormality, further examination of the ear is recommended. An otoscopy can be performed to identify the specific cause and treat it as soon as possible to avoid further hearing loss. Follow are tips for protecting our hearing in the daily life:

1. Stay away from noise, which can damage the inner ear and accelerate the onset and development of early age-related deafness, so avoid exposure to noise, especially to firecrackers, explosions and strong gongs and drums, etc.

2. Early detection and treatment.

3. Quit smoking and drinking, do not use ototoxic drugs, etc.; nicotine and alcohol can directly damage the auditory nerve, and long-term heavy smoking and drinking can also lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the inner ear and affecting hearing level.

4. Maintain an optimistic mood: When a person is emotional, adrenaline secretion increases, causing spasms in the small arteries of the inner ear and slowing blood flow in the small vessels, leading to blood flow disorders and insufficient oxygen supply to the inner ear, which can easily lead to sudden deafness.

5. Adjust your diet: Eat foods rich in zinc, iron and calcium, which can effectively dilate the microvasculature, thus promoting the blood supply to the inner ear and preventing hearing loss.

6. Use caution or prohibit drugs that damage the auditory nerve: Read the drug instructions carefully or ask your doctor if the drug is ototoxic before using it.

7. Avoid noise exposure: prolonged exposure of the ear to noise can lead to noise-induced deafness, so you should stay away from noise.

8. Don’t just pull out your ears: The skin of the outer ear canal is delicate and is closely connected to the cartilage membrane, with little subcutaneous tissue and poor blood circulation. If you use improper force when pulling out your ears, it is easy to cause damage and infection in the outer ear canal, resulting in boils and inflammation.

9. Actively treat hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, cerebral arteriosclerosis and diabetes: Older people with these diseases, especially those with arteriosclerosis, are more likely to suffer from impaired blood flow to the inner ear, which can lead to sudden deafness. Therefore, active treatment of these diseases is important to prevent microcirculation disorders and delay hearing loss in the elderly.

10. Strengthening physical activity is particularly important for the elderly. Physical activity improves blood circulation throughout the body, and with it, the blood supply to the inner ear. Exercise programs can be chosen according to specific physical conditions. Walking, jogging, tai chi, etc. are all possible, but must be adhered to.