Hearing loss prevention

To help you keep your hearing healthy we’ve got some tips on how to protect your hearing from unnecessary damage.

• Limit the amount of time you spend in loud environments.
• Wear earplugs or protective hearing devices when involved in noisy activities.
• Avoid playing your personal or car stereo at excessive volume and for long periods.
• Ear wax protects your ears. Avoid using cotton buds or ear drops to remove wax as these can cause damage.
• Give your ears a rest for 24 hours after exposure to high levels of noise.
• When working with loud machinery or other noisy environments where you are exposed to excessive sound, remember to wear protective hearing devices or earplugs.

When a person is over-exposed to excessive sound levels, sensitive structures of the inner ear can be damaged. This can result in permanent, noise-induced hearing loss. It can happen after a brief but intense sound such as an explosion, or from regular exposure to noise over time.