Heed the call on World Hearing Day!
Post on 1st March 2019
‘Check your hearing’ is the theme of today’s World Hearing Day (3 March) with the World Health Organization drawing attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss.
Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realise that they are missing out on certain sounds and words. Hearing checks are all important especially for those who are at a higher risk of hearing loss, such as adults above 50 years old, those working in noisy places, those listening to music at high volumes for long periods of time and those experiencing ear problems.
Advances in hearing aid technology mean help is available, but there is no cure for hearing loss. It makes sense therefore to do all we can to look after our hearing.
Here are some top tips to help you do just that
- Noisy workplace
If you work in a noisy environment – such as construction, manufacturing or a music venue – your employer should make sure that you have hearing protection. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines state that noise levels above 150dB can damage your hearing if endured for more than 15 minutes each week.
However lower levels – 85dB to 90dB – can also cause permanent damage if you’re exposed to them for hours every day. For example, a chainsaw is 115-120dB and a forklift truck is 90dB.
- Keep to the 60:60 rule
If you listen to music – especially with headphones – try to keep the volume under 89dB and reduce the length of time you listen to it. As a guideline, stick to the 60:60 rule – 60% of your device’s maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.
- Invest in quality headphones
Pay the difference and buy noise-cancelling headphones for your mobile device, so you don’t have to turn your music or podcast up to hear it over background sounds.
- Plug your ears
If you go to clubs or live music events, purchase high quality ear protectors or earplugs which enable you to hear the music without damaging your hearing. It takes at least 16 hours of quiet time for your ears to recover from two hours in 100dB sound.
- Turn the TV down
If friends and family tell you the TV is turned up too loudly, then you should take heed. It could well mean that you are already in early stages of hearing loss and should get your hearing checked.
- Avoid cotton buds
Although the most popular way of cleaning our ears, cotton buds are far from ideal as it’s very easy to damage the delicate inner ear.
If you are concerned about your hearing please call into your nearest Scrivens branch for advice. We recommend an annual hearing health check for anyone over 50 to identify any changes and see what action is needed.
Find your local branch
We provide a free NHS hearing service for people who are eligible and have been referred by their GP. Click here to find out if you are eligible for NHS hearing services.