Preventing Hearing
Loss

Noise is a primary cause of hearing loss, so you need to protect yourself against exposure to loud sounds for prolonged periods of time.

• If you work in an at-risk occupation, check with your employer to make sure you’ve adequately protected your hearing according to OSHA regulations.
• Wear earplugs or earmuffs when using loud equipment (lawn mowers, power saws, etc.) or when involved in noisy activities (concerts, sporting events, etc.).
• At home, turn down the volume on the TV, radio, and personal music players.
• Buy quieter products. Compare their dB (decibel) ratings—the smaller the better.
• Reduce the number of noisy appliances running at the same time in your environment

Alcohol and tobacco are two things that can harm your hearing. Also, there are several drugs that should be used with caution, especially certain antibiotics. Ask your doctor about possible hearing side effects to any medications he or she prescribes.

You need to prevent ear infections and treat them early to help prevent possible long-term damage. They can be potentially dangerous, especially in children.

Hearing loss, like other medical conditions, can be better managed the earlier it’s detected. After the age of 25, it’s a good idea to have occasional check-ups. If you’ve been exposed to loud or prolonged noise, or already know you have a hearing problem, a yearly evaluation is a good idea. All Sonus locations offer free hearing screenings.*

* Hearing screenings are always free. This is not a medical exam.