Digital Age Hearing Wellness Tips

Individuals live in a world that is deeply connected and where information is at our fingers. Communication happens in the blink of an eye. But in this ever-evolving tech environment, how does the digital age affect your health and more importantly, your hearing health? Here are some tips for navigating the digital world while safeguarding your ears.

Embrace Hearing Protection in the Digital Soundscape

The digital age has ushered constant connectivity, and with it, constant accessibility to audio content. Whether you’re streaming music, joining virtual meetings or listening to podcasts, you need to be mindful of the volume you are listening at. As a brief reminder of what healthy listening volumes look like, conversational speech is typically between 60 to 80 decibels. Prolonged exposure to noises at or over 85 decibels without adequate hearing protection can have an effect on your ears.

This is precisely why you should invest in quality hearing protection, such as earplugs, noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs, to shield your ears from the risk of excess noise levels.

Consult Your Hearing Health Professional

When looking for optimal hearing wellness, having an experienced hearing health professional by your side can be a game-changer. If you are frequently exposed to loud noises, as part of your lifestyle or work environment, it is essential to arrange for regular check-ups, especially if you wear hearing aids. A hearing health professional can also recommend suitable hearing protection measures based on your activities, hearing health and preferences.

Diversify Your Hearing Protection Styles

Hearing protection is not one-size-fits-all. So, it can be helpful to explore different methods and ensure that you can keep your ears safe. Earplugs, for instance, are discreet and effective for on-the-go protection. Earmuffs may not be discreet, but they also provide noise-reduction protection. In the event of loud noise, your hearing health professional may sometimes recommend combining both methods for enhanced protection.

On the other hand, noise-canceling headphones can remove the presence of noise, not just in terms of noise levels but also frequency. This ensures a fully immersive listening experience without having to rely on high sound volumes.

Mindful Listening in the Digital Workspace

As remote work becomes increasingly common, many individuals find themselves immersed in digital meetings and virtual collaborations. It is essential to be aware of your auditory environment in these settings so that you can adjust your device’s volume to a healthy and comfortable listening level. You should also regularly take breaks between these engagements to give your ears some much-needed rest from the noise.

Incorporate Hearing Wellness into Your Digital Routine

Just as you prioritize physical and mental well-being, you want to make hearing wellness a part of your daily routine. This can include setting volume limits on your devices, taking short breaks from continuous noise exposure and creating quiet spaces in your home.

With the help of a hearing health professional, you can prioritize hearing protection and hearing wellness in your day-to-day digital experiences.