Hearing Health: Practical Care, Signs to Watch For, and Simple Steps

Worried you might be missing words in conversations or hearing a constant ringing? Hearing health matters for work, relationships, and safety. This page gives clear, practical steps you can use today to spot trouble, protect your ears, and know when to see a clinician.

Common signs you shouldn’t ignore

If people ask you to repeat themselves, or the TV feels louder than it used to, pay attention. Other red flags: trouble hearing on the phone, mumbled speech sounding unclear, needing higher volume in public places, or persistent ringing (tinnitus). Sudden hearing loss or pain needs urgent care—don’t wait.

Keep a short checklist: do you miss parts of conversations, avoid noisy places, or feel tired after listening? If you answer yes to one or more, book a hearing test. Early checks catch problems when treatment works best.

Simple ways to protect your hearing

Noise is the biggest cause of preventable hearing loss. Follow the 60/60 rule for headphones: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. Use over-ear or noise-cancelling headphones so you don’t crank volume to block background sound.

At loud events, use earplugs or custom protectors. Even short bursts of very loud sound—like at concerts or fireworks—can damage hearing. For work around machinery, always wear approved hearing protection and follow workplace rules.

Avoid sticking things in your ear. Cotton swabs push wax deeper and can injure the eardrum. If you suspect wax buildup, try drops made for earwax or see a clinician for safe removal.

Water in the ear after swimming can lead to infections. Use a towel to dry ears and consider fitted earplugs for regular swimmers. If you get repeated ear infections, see a doctor—chronic problems can affect hearing over time.

Check your medicines. Some drugs can affect hearing—common examples include certain antibiotics (like aminoglycosides), some cancer drugs (cisplatin), and high-dose loop diuretics. Over-the-counter pain relievers and large aspirin doses can cause temporary tinnitus in some people. Don’t stop meds on your own—talk with your prescriber if you worry about hearing changes.

Get regular hearing checks. Adults over 50 should test every few years; anyone with risk factors (loud job, ear infections, family history) may need more frequent checks. An audiologist measures speech understanding and tone detection—this tells you what kind of help fits best.

Hearing aids and assistive devices are much better now. Modern aids are smaller, smarter, and can connect to phones. If hearing aids aren’t right, options include captioning apps, amplified phones, or workplace accommodations. For severe loss, cochlear implants may help—ask a specialist.

Small daily habits add up: turn down background noise, pause after long listening sessions, and protect your ears at noisy events. If you notice change, act fast—early steps make a real difference for hearing health.