People might experience problems with their hearing due to old age, but hearing loss is preventable earlier on in life. Just like you take care of your teeth to maintain dental health, you should also take care of your ears. Once your hearing suffers damage, it is usually irreversible and little can be done to make it better. Damaged ears can stop you from enjoying simple everyday things like having a conversation or listening to music. When it comes to the health of your ears, prevention is the best way to go.  Here are some of the best ways you can protect your ears.

Avoid loud noises

Loud noises are one of the most common causes of hearing loss. It's important to keep away from loud situations and listen to audio on a low volume. If you're in a place where you have to raise your voice to have a conversation or you can't listen to others talking, you should consider leaving the place. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can be harmful.

Wear earplugs

If leaving a noisy place is not an option, consider wearing earplugs. People working in construction or attending a concert are exposed to dangerous levels of sound and should protect their hearing with earplugs. Musicians can get custom-made earplugs that reduce harmful sound levels while still allowing conversation and music to filter through.

Lower the volume

Loud audio from personal devices is another common cause of hearing damage. Keep your volume at a level where you can comfortably hear your music and don't go higher than that. A good pair of noise cancelling headphones is a great option for those who don't listen to audio out loud as the headphones remove background or ambient noise to help you listen better in loud places. When the noise cancelling mode is on, you won't have to increase the volume in a noisy environment and your ears won't strain.  You can also consider following the 60:60 rule, which refers to playing your music at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes.

Take a break

If you are exposed to loud noises for long periods of time, your ears will benefit from a break from the noise. Step away from the noisy place for a few minutes and find a quieter place where your ears can rest and recover. 

Avoid using cotton swabs

Many people have the habit of using cotton swabs to clean out wax from their ears but this is not advisable. A bit of wax in your ears is normal and serves the important purpose of preventing dust from entering the ear canal. Excess wax can be gently cleaned out with a damp towel instead of cotton swabs. You can even go to a doctor to get your ears cleaned out properly. 

Get regular checkups

You can ask your primary physician to include hearing screenings in your regular checkups. Hearing loss develops gradually and annual checkups will help you recognise the signs early. You can also consider going to an audiologist. Only one-fifth of people with hearing loss use hearing aids and this is one of the reasons why you should hire an audiologist.

Damage to hearing can affect one's quality of life, so start taking preventive steps now to have healthy ears later on in life.