One side effect of having hearing loss is the tendency to turn things up, way up, so we can hear them. Normal sounds that we don’t control, like a dog barking or a truck passing us on the highway are loud to others, but may be not too loud to us. But, increasing the volume and ignoring loud sounds is not good for our already embattled ears. Being hearing impaired means we have to be extra concerned about protecting the capability we have left. Here’s a list of things to do:

1. Make ear plugs a new accessory and a basic part of your wardrobe, like socks or sun protection. Stash them all over your house, your car, your work. Wear them while mowing the lawn or practicing at the shooting range or snow mobiling or at a concert or…you get the picture.

2. Use keep your windows rolled up while on the highway, or if you love the wind blowing through your hair, wear ear plugs! 70 mph passing tractor trailers are seriously loud.

3. Move away from loud sounds you can’t control. Three feet will reduce sound exposure by one quarter.  In terms of ear health, that three feet is like a daily exercise routine.

4. Double check the side effects of your prescriptions with your physician. Make sure your hearing is protected.

5. Sudden tinnitus? See your MD pronto. It could be a sign of something else.

6. Use condoms if there is a risk of STDs, some of which can mess with your hearing.

7. Avoid getting the mumps or measles if you didn’t have them as a child.

8. Wear a helmet during contact sports. Head trauma is the leading cause of hearing loss.

9. Don’t stand on things that might fall over. Head injuries are bad news to ears.

10. Take extra precautions during your next scuba trip.

11. Go for a hike in the woods. Increased blood circulation is good!

12. Don’t poke things in your ears. You don’t want to pop anything.

13. Don’t swim in dirty water. Infections in your ears. Eek!

14. Don’t let your dog bark right in your face. Sudden loud noises are as bad as prolonged ones.

15. Switch to decaf and low-sodium products. Caffeine and salt have been linked to poor ear performance.

16. Quit smoking and avoid smoky places. Do this anyway, for your ears and the rest of you too.

17. Don’t over do the booze. Like most things, a little is good. A lot is bad.

18. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss after every meal. There is a connection between good oral hygiene and hearing health.

19. Eat whole grains and beans every day. Ears love vitamin B!

20. Drink a glass of skim milk. Vitamin D is good for bones and ears have bones.

21. Snack on baked sweet potato fries. Vitamin A is good for nerves and ears have nerves.

22. Take your trusty ear plugs to bed. Sleeping next to a loved one that snores night after night for years can damage your ears!

23. Avoid inflating your airbags in your car. Or, in other words, drive safely. Inflating airbags can cause permanent hearing loss.

24. Eat fresh veggies. Studies show that this is a major preventer of all sorts of maladies, including sudden hearing loss.

25. Take ginkgo biloba. It can help with tinnitus and improve blood flow to the ears.

26. Keep your ears clean of ear wax. Use wax-softening ear drops and not q-tips, please.

27. Ask a friend for advice. Say “Can you hear my Ipod?” If they say yes, turn it down until they can’t.

And everyday, remember:
Turn it down…if you need to shout, it’s too loud. Too loud for too long is totally wrong.