The New Year is upon us, giving us the ability to start anew, with a fresh slate. As we enter the New Year, we have a chance to start fresh, as we use the knowledge we have gathered from the years past to learn from it and improve upon our daily lives. This is why many people set New Year’s resolutions for themselves. It’s an excellent way to set our goals for self-improvement for the upcoming year. However, most people’s resolutions are the same. Typically people are looking to exercise more, exercise more, save money, and so forth. While these are the typical things a person aims for, New Year hearing resolutions also needs to be included on your list for 2021.
As 2020 ends (thankfully!), now is the perfect time to start looking ahead. Just don’t forget about your health and hearing! Be sure to add these New Year hearing resolutions to your list for 2021.
Health is Wealth
One of the most important investments you can make during your lifetime is investing in your health. Meaning you should be looking to exercise more, eat more wholesome foods, and lower your stress levels. Everything is connected, so if you want healthy ears, you need a healthy body and mind.
Ditch that Cigarette
We all know that cigarette smoke is terrible for your health. However, many don’t realize cigarette smoke can also negatively affect your ability to hear. Appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study revealed that due to the ototoxic chemicals found in cigarettes, smokers are 70% more likely to experience hearing loss than non-smokers.
Watch the Decibel Levels
Becoming more aware of the sound levels around you is necessary if you want to safeguard your ears, which means wearing protection when exposed to loud noises and limiting your exposure time. It is also crucial that you limit the volume level while listening to sound through headphones, keeping your distance from the primary source of sound (i.e., speakers), and following the 60/60 rule when exposed to elevated noise levels.
Schedule a Hearing Exam
If you can’t remember the last time you had a hearing exam, then it’s time to see an audiologist for a thorough hearing examination. Going through a hearing evaluation can help you catch small problems before they snowball into something more serious. It is commonly known that when problems are caught early, they stand a better chance of being resolved. Learn the general guidelines for hearing exams, and be sure to get tested accordingly.
